IT has been two years since Glasgow band Deathcats grouped together to bring their satirical approach to the music scene and now the trio are ready to call it a day; temporarily anyway. However, before they do, the band are concluding the year and their first phase with a release of a split EP with Canadian brothers-in-garage, New Swears.

With four tracks from both bands, Deathcats take the first half. The opening track ‘Liquid Gold’ expands on the sounds crafted in their debut album All Hail Deathcats; an upbeat pop song structure, catchy chorus, fuzz-laden guitars and a liberal amount of reverb.

The following two tracks ‘You’ and ‘Sprint’ are the stand out songs here. They seem less aggressive in overall tone as they are more stripped back than previous affairs. This is not to be perceived negatively either, as the more lyrically focused and gloomy angle shows a maturity in the group; a progression that perhaps some won’t expect from the balaclava and Hawaiian shirt wearing band named Deathcats.

The fourth track ‘End Game’ picks up in tempo again that benefits the blend into the Canadians half of the EP.

It is clear why the two bands have split a release as New Swears share a similar ethos in music making; they make humorous garage rock songs that can be enjoyed at face value. ‘Scru Bar’s House,’ their longest track coming in at 3:02, incorporates a party into a song with group vocals and intermittent ‘woos’ and ‘yeahs.’ It shows what the band are all about; having a good time.

For those unfamiliar with New Swears work on this side of the world, the split EP is a great introduction. As for Deathcats, the EP shows a slightly more mature side, however, the fun and Thee Oh Sees influenced side is still there. The EP, released on 5th December, contains some of their best work and will see them bow out on a high.