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Reviewed by Emily Riordan

Koizilla: DoomSurfSurfDoom EP

Reviewed by Emily Riordan

Koizilla: DoomSurfSurfDoom EP

‘DoomSurfSurfDoom’, the second EP of Dunedin trio Koizilla, is six tracks long and sounds exactly like its name.

Recorded at The Attic and mixed by Samdrub Dawa, mastering by Steven John Marr, it’s a significant step up from last year’s EP ‘Blunder Brother’ in terms of both songwriting and recording quality.

The band describe their music as containing ‘plenty of wordless hooks’, and this is a strength they make the most of. With catchy oohs and woah-ohs it’s easy to sing along to on first listen.

Yes, the fun and punchy single that opens the EP, sets the tone for the first five tracks: slightly psychedelic vocals; funky guitar riffs with tasteful use of effects; a bright bass line that doesn’t just stick to the root; and powerful yet playful drums with the occasional addition of a tambourine.

Though long and progressive, the songs never lose themselves and always come back to the same great hooks.

Crinkle Eyes And Lullabies, the final track, introduces something different, a slow song built on a meandering guitar part with a simple vocal line. With nothing but guitar and voice until the very end, it’s the only departure from Koizilla’s signature fuzzy surf rock sound, and a beautiful closer to a very enjoyable EP.