Brimming with energy and vigour, Wairarapa jangle popsters Spank are back with an evident sense of confidence and growth from their 2016 debut EP ‘Slap-Up And Noblest’.

Crazy Life opens this five-track EP with a pounding bass line, up-front drums and Nikki King’s driving, raw-edged vocals delivering a somewhat repetitive chorus.

With an edgy tinge of growl, the melodies are convincingly earnest. King’s brass contribution turns the sound around at the close of Song For The Lost Things and segues perfectly into Passive Aggressive.

Recorded in one day at Levin’s Tsunami Sound Studio, the lack of backing vocals and general mix leaves the sound somewhat exposed in places, but there’s no denying the intent in which these songs are delivered.

Upbeat tempos are complimented by the poppy guitar fills and cornet lines, the bossa nova groove of Having A Bad Day keeping the stylistic variation moving nicely.

With an ode to their place in the world, Simple Pleasure (aka The Wairarapa Song) is simply too cheerful not to put a smile on your dial.