The Chemistry Experiment have been flirting around the indie scene for some time now, and as purveyors of a unique brand of luscious, ornamented, perfect pop they are quite rightly causing a bit of a stir in all the right circles. This five track e.p. in the wake of last Mays ‘The Melancholy Death of The Chemistry Experiment’ album is a timely reminder of just how organised, how eloquent, and how, well, sensational they are – just when the album was maybe taking a back seat on the household playlist up comes this record to ensure that The Chemistry Experiment provide at least some of the soundtrack to this years Christmas festivities.

The title track is a perfect blend of Jeff Wayne’s Forever Autumn from War of the Worlds and Pink Floyds Interstellar Overdrive, and it is nothing short of brilliance. An eight and a half minute epic that flows from melodious harmony to rigid racketeering and back again without so much as a disjointed moment in ear shot.

You’re The Prettiest Thing (from the The Melancholy de\th of... album) follows hot on the heels of the (too soon over) opener with a sublime slice of pseudo Euro pop meeting English Indie staple that swoops and sways, that struts and sashays with buckets of melodiously rhythmic strings that couldn’t fail to stir the deepest of emotions. It is in a way a more sensitive angle on the New Order songbook, but the driving percussion and synthesisation is all there in ample measure, and it’s a thrill from start to finish. Karin is an out-take that quite rightly didn’t fit the feel of the album, but again in itself is too strong a contender not to have been included here. More of a traditional indie score with a sinister twist in the lyrics and an irresistible tacet that drags you to the edge of your seat (if you’re not already there).

The second cover version to grace this e.p. is a take on labelmates The Butterflies of Love track Belt and Shoelaces (from their The New Patient album). Following on with the underlying trend and taking another step further from blissful harmonies and nearer to pulsating, rhythmic drum machine and synth hedonism, this wouldn’t have been out of place swirling out of a bar on San Antonio Road fifteen years ago.

Closing the set is the radio edit of Forever Autumn, the luscious flutes, interlaced with dramatic strings sweeping and gliding and interweaving melodies that tug on your heartstrings and match the pained, regret laden lyrics do perfectly, and the timing of the release is perfect, this song should be the only radio hit of any December. Stand aside Cliff, out of the way Shakin’, yes, even you Slade boys, pack up your kit and clear off. The Chemistry Experiment are here to wrap us up in their melodiously warm arms now that the cold dark nights are drawing in, and it’s them that we want, not you.

Johnny Mac

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