Groove Lagoon follow up their 2017 debut ‘Extended Play’ EP with a sophomore four-track EP they’ve named ‘Dazed’. Hailing from the crystal sands of Omaha Beach, Joel Sunde, Josh Brajkovic, Jake Sunde and Dan Wist show they aren’t afraid to dip their surf-psyche rock, reggae feet into other NZ shorelines.

Their 15 minute-long EP opens with the infectiously groovy Blurry Eyed, kicking you in the face with its funky Cry Baby guitar riffs and hugely layered choruses that will have your soul dancing without your mind’s consent. Need It All and Golden stray away from the funky, space rock sound and adopt instead a reggae psychedelia backbeat reminiscent of other locals Six60 and Sticky Fingers 

Golden especially stands out as it starts with a chilled acoustic guitar intro which quickly cascades into an undeniable chorus hook, accompanied by huge wavey-washy, silk-like guitar chords – concocting a sound that floats and eases your problems as you unconsciously sing along.

The EP flawlessly blends their old sound with new, and it seems the band has found a formula that mixes hard-hitting funk lines with big laid back and sparse choruses tastefully. They manage to incorporate the heavy use of wah wah pedal on the electric guitar while still keeping it fresh, which quickly becomes a signature sound for the band. All of this infused with a tight rhythm section and the chilled back singing lays the blueprint for intoxicating fun time bangers that only makes you wish summer would come sooner.

Maturing away from their debut EP, the four north of Auckland beach boys show that they are plenty more than a one trick pony band.