Currently one of the U.K.'s most buzzed-about bands, Klaxons are one of the most unique acts to emerge from the sceptred isle in recent months. The Xan Valleys EP paints a discordant portrait considering the hype that preceded them.
Lead single "Gravity's Rainbow" opens the disc with a memorable, aggressive bassline and the frenetic rhythm that has earned Klaxons their "new-rave" label. Paired with the lush, layered vocals and dramatic harmonies, the track takes you on a two-and-a-half minute thrill ride that ends too quickly, especially considering that the other highlight of Xan Valleys is the Van She remix.
Virtually indistinguishable from the original, the "Gravity's Rainbow" retread is driven by sexy synths and a grinding groove, a killer combination that ultimately creates a floor-filler for any serious dance party.
Klaxons get their name from a greek verb that refers to air-raid sirens or other shrieking warning sounds, a grating effect they rely on too heavily for the remainder of the EP's high-energy dance-rock. In the band's defense, these songs weren't meant to be radio-friendly; they were likely composed in their early, experimental phase. Regardless, their inclusion doesn't create an overwhelmingly positive first impression.
Despite mixed emotions, the disc earns three stars for both fantastic interpretations of "Gravity's Rainbow." Don't let the rest of the EP put you off the Klaxons' full-length debut -- currently only available in the U.S. as an import -- because there's definitely more where that first single came from.
