This six-track EP is fun, diverse and fun. Recorded at both The Lab and York Street has definitely given it that professional touch. Winners of 2013 Smokefree Pacfica Beats comp, Strangely Arousing are a 5-piece and their EP contains the energy of live performance. All the members can really play; solid drums, tight bass, nice live horns coming through and vocalist/guitarist Lukas Wharekura refreshingly fuses te reo Māori into the songs. Kupenga is a rad track. Their music still has lots going in every track but it would be weird if a first EP didn’t have this crazy busy element to it, all first releases should. As the band evolve they will refine the ideas down and start to grow their own sound. The artwork is also fun and vibrant, reflecting the energy in the music. Overall this has a vibe similar to The Urge, a personal favourite funk/ska/rock band from the ’90s. It’s right with the next swell of new music coming through which will have loads of horn sections and that ska energy. Expect big things from this band if they keep moving, uplifting vibe and righteous lyrics. Ka mau to wehi.