7/10

Formed near the end of last year, LA's badsoma have been keen to explore a more effervescent direction than many on their local scene. Adopting a sound reminiscent of Japanese Breakfast, armed with the fangs of early Wilco, and a healthy skepticism of postmodernism that harkens to the likes of Radiohead, their style has this beautifully enigmatic feel for it, perfect for cultivating a distinctive appeal for themselves. So with things finally kicking off for them, they release their eagerly-anticipated debut EP 'kicking and screaming', a release that brings together all of their vibrant influences under one roof.

While the band clearly wear their inspirations firmly on their sleeve here, 'kicking and screaming' still manages to unearth some beautifully warm and tender emotion throughout its five-track runtime. Honing this brilliantly woozy aesthetic that harks back to those laid-back grooves of the 1970s, their initial collection looks to cement them as a wonderfully inventive name emerging on the scene, brimming with these warm and alluring textures that always pull you in and rarely let you go.

They may have only been going less than a year right now, but 'kicking and screaming' shows they already have a strong and solid grasp over where they are looking to take their sound next. Offering up some of the more enchanting compositions we have heard this year, badsoma are certainly a group brimming with promise and ambition throughout.