I don’t really want to call Elephant (facebook) a band. They are in all intents and purpose a band but they deserve more recognition than that. A band brings images of bearded men drinking, sorry slurping, bottles of crap American beer standing with their imitation Gibsons and just generally being loud and sweaty. They’re too refined and minimalist for that. Instead I’m going to call them a ‘duo’. It’s ok, I’m ready to accept the label of ‘pretentious wanker’ for that paragraph. Elephant are a duo. Glad that’s sorted.

So, Elephant are synth pop with a lead singer who apparently hails from somewhere between Pontefract and France. Cosmopolitan. I like it. It might not be such a coincidence that they’re named after The White Stripes’ fourth album, Elephant, either. In fact it makes complete and logical sense; Amelia Rivas and Christian Pinchbeck’s relationship is as frustratingly ambiguous as our dear old friends Jack and Meg.

Although not on their E.P, Assembly, and I don’t know why not, Ants is the best track from these two. It combines all the charm of the Parisian walkways with accordion like synthesisers and love beaten lyrics, which Rivas sings with such candid fragility. Atmospheric and bass-ridden track, Wolf’s Cry, is another that really showcases both the haunting quality of Rivas’ vocals and lyrics. The words do make you wonder whether Rivas and Pinchbeck had a romance in the past and maybe even the present. They understand and complement each other musically in a way that suggests so but who am I to probe?

The E.P doesn’t really stray far from the futuristic synthesiser, swooping vocals formula. At Twilight offers a more robust, shoegaze feel. Full to the brim with shrill guitars and dainty piano this will be a great album closer. Hopeless is definitely a track that will fill the indie electro disco dancefloor in the next coming months. All in all, Elephant have made a mature and refined entrance. Let’s hope the confidence and quality remains.

[BUY] Elephant – Assembly EP @ Bandcamp| Amazon | iTunes

Elephant – Assembly by elephanttheband
Elephant – Ants by elephanttheband