No messing here, ‘Up and Away’ sets the tone for this utterly awesome album The
Naughty Step as it hits you squarely in the face with its angular electronics, jagged
guitars and mesmerising chanted chorus. Other highlights include the emotionally charged title track ‘The Naughty Step’, a very clever and fascinating composition, ‘We
Dance Among You’ synthetically chugs along, gradually building in angst and attitude with a mixture of urgency and expectation. The rhythmic and desolate ‘Hiding Things for
Fun’ tweaks the tempo down a notch but still demands your full attention with uneasy notes of discord and awkwardness.’ It’s Not Tomorrow Forever’ delights with its simplicity and weird detuned guitar effects. ‘Start Believing, Start Living the Lie’ is a big, dirty, fuzzy banger that pulls your ears and shouts in your face. Just brilliant. ‘Chase the Space’ is mesmerising, compelling and even incorporates a fabulous Dalek vocal too.
It’s one of those songs that makes your feet start twitching without you even realising it, continuing a very cool, intelligent and individual sound that permeates the whole
album. ‘We are Following Straight Lines’ is another rhythm-saturated piece with
authentic vocal delivery and urban synthetic tones that just feels right. This very original
and well-created album ends with ‘Pensive Eco Ponderer’, wherein the lead vocal utterly
captivates the listener, and you are drugged and dragged into the warm depths of your
sofa by hypnotic percussion and bass underpinning a wad of comforting synthesis and
calming guitar. Quite simply this album is a masterpiece of individuality and originality.
The Naughty Step is one of the most exciting releases I have encountered for many a
year.

Kurt Sinclair-Hall

Blitzed Magazine