Voxtrot continue their quest toward indie popularity on a good note with this 5 song EP. While this EP doesn't make leaps and bounds improvement over their debut (it would be impossible to do that), it is still a welcome step in the right direction (toward perfection). In reality the songs from the 5 song self-titled Voxtrot EP had been making set lists for 2 or 3 years prior to its release, so with this new EP, Voxtrot was faced with a new challenge of writing new songs in a short amount of time. This thought was especially troubling to me considering Voxtrot only a year earlier had been nothing more than a summer band, taking long breaks in the fall and spring to reunite every summer in Austin for a couple of shows. Only when Ramesh finally decided to put his education on hold and commit himself full time to the band did Voxtrot take off, but in all truth it was only a matter of time given the strength of their arsenal.

Joining Voxtrot this time are a few extra musicians that Ramesh writes "contributed violin, cello, trumpet, and french horn to the new songs." This adds a new complexity to their songs not seen on the debut, and they do an impressive job of keeping everything sounding very natural and unforced. They still have their classic sound which is apparent from the opening title track, but the difference is that it sounds fuller and richer. It's obvious that they spent a little bit more time and money on recording these 5 songs.

As for the quality of the songs, all five are above average with the opener and closer sitting as the standouts of the bunch. The middle tracks take a little listening time before they can properly be understood and appreciated. Rise Up in the Dirt features some Ramesh's most daring vocal work to date, with him almost (yes, almost) yelling such gloomy lyrics as "When you wake from the shell of this body" which leads into something unintelligible or "When you wake up tomorrow my son, you will be the father of something terrible." Yet the song itself is not gloomy. The lyrics tell the story of a man dealing with old age and a feeling of worthlessness and ending on a happy note: "Somewhere in the darkness you will find love, baby you will find love."

Four Long Days, the 4th song on the EP, sounds like it could have come straight off a Belle and Sebastian album, but that's not really a stab at them or criticism. The closer Soft and Warm is my favorite song on the album. This song has been kicking around in set lists for the past 6 months or more, and the first time I heard it in Austin I was instantly addicted. This is pure masterful pop genius, in vain of Raised by Wolves and Start of Something from their debut. I really love the added violin, something that they did not play on stage. The string arrangements add a new depth to Voxtrot's music, and I hope that they continue to experiment with string instruments in the future. So, in short, I love this EP and I can't wait to see what they do on their upcoming full length.

Scorsies: 8/10

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