Umi Copper certainly has a vocal style that is an acquired taste. It’s smooth, but not.

Why lead with that line in an EP review? Because that is perhaps the most striking thing about Umi Copper’s debut release, which hit in June. “All” sets the groundwork for what we should expect from Copper. He has a unique cadence. His songs are conversational yet deliberate. The Radiohead influence doesn’t go unnoticed. Thom Yorke’s vocals are often similarly disquieting. The spoken intro to “Cure” is slightly reminiscent of OK Computer‘s “Fitter Happier” before going into a dark, matter-of-fact number that at one point has Copper musing “Lord knows that I deserve ya.”

“Daemon” is predictably dark. Yet dark even for this EP. Dark enough that I had to pause (er, pawse) the song when a golden retriever puppy drew attention to this coffee shop patio I’m sitting on. If there’s one thing you can’t do simultaneously, it’s enjoy dark moody music and see a pupper.

Almost as if the universe took a cue from the shift in my mood that occurred as I was typing the above paragraph, “Requiem” kicks in and produces what is ironically the most optimistic mood of the short four song EP. I wouldn’t call it happy, but the driving snare is enough to drive a little more pep in your step after the balance of the release. This makes me think of the alt-J song, “Hit Me Like That Snare.”

Well, I hope you enjoyed this short little write-up and take a moment out of your day to look into Umi Copper’s intriguing release. Follow Copper on Facebook and Instagram.