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Apr 22, 2016 Web Exclusive By Matthew Berlyant

When Lush disbanded in 1997 after drummer Chris Acland’s tragic suicide, it was assumed that a reunion would be impossible, especially with Miki Berenyi out of music since then. However, now with the three surviving members (Berenyi, Emma Anderson, and Phil King) joined by Elastica drummer Justin Welch, they accepted offers to play live shows again later in the year. Unlike some other reunited shoegaze-era bands so far content to rest on their laurels and tour off of decades-old material, Lush came back first with this new EP. So how is it? Well, if it was revealed that these were recordings from around the time of 1992 debut Spooky or the singles that made up Gala, no one would be surprised. It’s almost as if 1994’s excellent, transitional Split and 1996’s career peak Lovelife didn’t exist. When the songs are this good, though, there should be little room for complaint. Opener and first single “Out of Control” immediately makes one think of their early, Cocteau Twins-influenced days, but is perhaps as catchy as anything on those records. The other three tracks mine very similar territory, namely that special place where Astrud Gilberto, the aforementioned Cocteau Twins, and My Bloody Valentine co-exist peacefully and you are transported to a place of pure bliss. The major difference here is lyrical. Now with a family, Berenyi writes candidly about her teenage daughter on “Rosebud” while “Out of Control” also deals with family issues. “Lost Boy” is a tribute to Acland while “Burnham Beeches” explores a reflection on teenage love affairs. (www.lushofficial.com)

Author rating: 8/10