Julian Plenti Lives...

The leader of Interpol, one of the most successful indie rock bands of the '00s, brings his dark, dreary, doom-tinged vocal style to newish places on this five-song teaser EP. The songs here are more stripped down and definitely less strident than Interpol's; they feature more acoustic guitar work and orchestral backings. Yet Interpol fans will be pleased to hear their hero emote emphatically about sleeping “like a peach on the beach” because “summertime is calling.” It’s a slight number, in the best sense. There are two original Banks songs, plus a strange selection of covers: a song by the guy who wrote the Beverly Hills Cop theme, J Dilla’s “Mythsizer,” and Frank Sinatra’s “I’m a Fool to Want You.” A natural for crooners, the Sinatra cover is the winner. Banks tackles it straight ahead, with just voice and strings and a slightly electronic backing. Add it to the top of your next lover’s jam mixtape now.