#Tags have dropped us a line about their new EP, Budget Cuts, and we’ve been reeled in nicely by their breezy take on these dark days of recession. Recorded in a shed, due to the tightening of wallets across  the band and austerity Britain, they’ve decided to not let a little thing like a double dip get in the way of a good time.

With funk guitar, high pitch vocals and a party vibe they come across as something like an English Ok Go! on opening track Sick of Heels. And just like the Californian band they are clearly influenced by Squeeze, something that comes across strongly on the pure pop of second track I Wanna See You. There are hints of early XTC as well on the final, sixth ska-influenced track Helena.

They’ve already garnered some high profile admirers, including BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson and BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, who refers to them as “bang on trend” and with influences of diverse as Prince, The Pixes and LCD Soundsystem we’re more than happy to give them some deserved publicity in such bleak economic times.

8/10

by Joe Lepper