Ruined It for You

If their debut pointed to Shesus becoming the next Blondie or Go-Go's, the complicated — but still rocking — songs on their follow-up EP point to something else. "Weapons of Love Destruction" has one of those entirely '80s riffs for its verses, but like so often elsewhere, the chorus is a messier bit of urgency that denies any hope of a "Vacation" or a "Call Me" coming from this band anytime soon (and you can bet if brash lead singer Heather Newkirk splits, there'll be no "Mad About You" or "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" from her). That's fine since this sprawling, challenging Shesus is less of a celebration of the music the band grew up with and more a band finding its genuine voice. Maybe it's growth over time or the loose production the Dirtbombs' Jim Diamond lays on the EP. Whatever it is, 22 minutes isn't enough. "Cheekbone Dance" is understructured musically, but everything else is choice and might remind you of the Breeders' Pod. Like Pod, there's plenty of pop potential beneath the quirk and sonic murk, and it's no big surprise that major labels are courting the band. They've got a Last Splash in them, for sure, so prepare for it with this exciting, hazy whirlwind of promise.