Label: Prolifica Inc.
Release Date: 5th June 2020
Rating: 8/10
"This EP is a patchwork of the songs that got away. It feels like a treat during a lockdown without live gigs and festivals."
Two Door Cinema Club have released 'Lost Songs (Found)’, an EP filled with songs from their earlier days. Listening to this album is probably the closest I could get to the feeling of a live gig during COVID times; it felt like an intimate sneak-peek into the band’s musical process. This EP is a patchwork of the songs that got away. It feels like a treat during a lockdown without live gigs and festivals. With a lot of the songs from the 2010 Tourist History era, it feels very nostalgic with the classic TDCC strong guitar riffs and drums running throughout. With nearly a decade having elapsed since Tourist History was released, this EP is well-timed. As well as making me feel very old, it allowed me to delve back into my teen years (skinny jeans, dark fruit pints and angst all included). ‘19’ has that same rebellious, youthful feel with the lines “Don't you tell me to follow my dreams / I'm only 19, I'll catch you up, I'll catch you up”.
The lively tunes and fast-paced lyrics feel very summery, vastly different from the more sombre, reflective tracks featured on Gameshow (Deluxe Edition). For me, the original version of ‘Something Good Can Work’ is the true gem of the EP. I have listened to this song hundreds of times: whether it is blasted through speakers at parties or dancing around my room, it will never lose its charm even ten years on. Even though it is perhaps a very overdrawn comparison, a lot of the songs give me early Vampire Weekend vibes too, especially with ‘Hands Off My Cash Monty’. They feel very summery and bright with Alex Trimble’s younger voice shining through. Despite them being feel-good bangers, the lyrics still tell a story. As a demo, ‘Tiptoes’ feels raw with its unfinished nature, but the lyrics run deep; “You can't ask for someone to help you / If no one cares”. They have only played ‘Impatience is a Virtue’ live once and ‘Too Much Coffee’ twice. In VARSITY, Shay Gillams discusses the increased popularity of B-sides and analyses changes in the way artists release online. Looking back at their B-side tracks make us think about how much their sound has developed, all whilst connecting us to their older days once more.
This release has made me even more excited for new fresh music from them and reminded me how much I love their core sound. Until then, keep pushing through with these rediscovered tracks.
Words by Elle Woods-Marshall.
18th June 2020.
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