Headspace - EP

Indie rock trio We Barbarians offers up an incredibly impressive first recording with 2011’s Headspace EP. The catchy title-track opens with a touch of New York-flavored, post-punk angularity, though the lackadaisical drawl in Dave Quon’s voice reveals a California accent. That’s because before recording these songs, the band uprooted from Long Beach and moved to Brooklyn. “The Wait Is Over” follows with a beautiful contrast of jangly guitars and some of that warm ‘90s guitar distortion before Quon croons soaring melodies in the chorus. “Stroke By Stroke” recalls the hit single “The Promise” by British new-wave band When In Rome – that is until the chorus comes in sounding more like something off the Walkmen’s first two albums. The EP’s gem solidifies in a sparkling rendition of “Strange Overtones” from David Byrne and Brian Eno’s 2008 collaboration Everything That Happens Will Happen Today. Rather than try and reinvent the tune, the trio plays it close to the original in a true homage.