Listening to EP 1 and EP 2 back to back is a bit of a treat. You get to see the remnants of the idea's that were on EP 1 come to fruition on the follow up, EP 2. Whereas the first started out with a huge bang and then became quite a bit tamer throughout, EP 2 has the opposite effect. Starting out relatively tame and going out on one of the best synthwave songs ever recorded.
The songs on EP 2 are almost all of equally high quality. There really isn't a low point on the album, only high points and higher ones. Many of the same ideas that were on EP 1 are also found on EP 2. The obvious homage to the 80's sci-fi themed based tropes are here. So are the John Carpenter influenced horror soundtrack elements. No matter what Carpenter Brut takes influence from, each of the songs on EP 2 pay a deep homage to the synth music of the 80's with a modern production.
That's not to say that Carpenter Brut's music feels dated, in fact it's quite the opposite. This music is so deeply rooted in viewing the 80's from a modern perspective it ends up sounding like a fresh take on a familiar idea. All of the synths sound clearer and well defined than the 80's material. In doing so, some of the mystique and magic of the true 80's material is lost. In it's place though you get a masterful demonstration of what the genre is capable of within a contemporary framework.
Both EP 1 and EP 2 are two sides of the same coin. EP 1 focuses more on coming in with a bang and then filling out the album with 80's influenced ideas. EP 2 starts off strong but ends with one of the single best synthwave songs I've ever heard. Hang'Em All is easily one of the catchiest and most infectious songs I've heard in the genre. It channels the same energy that Escape from Midwich Valley does.
These two EP's essential for anyone looking to get into synthwave. Essential listening.
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