It’s A Big World Out There (And I’m Scared)

With Kurt Vile and The Violators’ Wakin On A Pretty Daze barely lifted out of rotation as one of the best albums of 2013 new music from the 33-year old should come as an exciting prospect.

However this EP shouldn’t be seen as a new release, but rather just a bonus disc on the Deluxe Daze (Post Haze) edition of his latest LP.

That is to say that there is little here worth recommending to listeners other than to the most dedicated of Vile fans.

‘Feel My Pain’ is the exception though. The track has that same affecting nonchalance that is as brilliant as anything on Wakin although this cut is considerably more emotionally stark.

‘The Ghost Of Freddie Roach’ is the other original here, recorded in the same sessions as the album, that didn’t quite make it onto the record. Its omission is understandable though. The song itself isn’t bad, but it isn’t quite in the same league as the tracks that made it onto Wakin either.

Aside from the aforementioned songs there’s nothing left but fodder that even the fans should find unnecessary.

The string synth version of ‘Never Run Away’ adds an extra sonic layer in the chorus, but is largely the same elsewhere.

‘Snowflakes Extended’ is just a continuation of ‘Snowflakes Are Dancing’ and ‘Wedding Budz’ acts an instrumental of ‘Air Bud’.

This really is nothing more than a repackaging of Wakin’ On A Pretty Daze designed to shift more units.

If this EP did serve a purpose and drew more people towards his brilliant 2013 LP then it would be justified, however it seems more likely that this release is a quick jab at the pockets of fans.

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