The second EP from Fast Money Music, simply titled ROUGE, is the instinctive and natural progression of Nick Hinman’s East London-based project. It’s a broad stroke of raw power and cheeky realism, mixing a brooding shade of red into its palette of playful vocals, pulsating synths, jagged guitars and wailing saxophone. It takes the exciting and unique elements from the debut Strange Moments EP and introduces a nuanced live energy, embellishing upon this feeling of controlled chaos that’s both contagious and transfixing.

ROUGE is a curated blend of modern genres and familiar influences, starting with the angular minimalism of Hot Melt Glue (Spotify Fresh Finds Indie, Apple Music New In Alternative) to the romantic synth-pop magic of Space Opera, the first half of the EP mixes both artificial and organic sonic elements into stark yet nostalgic soundscapes.

The second half of the EP introduces the groove of Hunky Dory, recalling jangle-pop influence from early 80’s, and then the brash energy of Faceless Enemy, which is like discovering an unreleased Alan Vega song through a more modern lens. 

Lyrically, the EP explores themes of self-control, lust, jealousy, and redemption; the fact-finding forward-facing process many of us choose to ignore. Although sometimes heavy, there is a lightness and hope to ROUGE that permeates some of the darker subjects, where at times its lifeblood flows more pink than crimson.

The icing on the cake is Polar Bear, a coy rendition of the 1982 classic Eisbär, a cult-classic from Swiss post-punk band Grauzone. The track rounds off the EP and closes the curtains on a second chapter, leaving the listener with a fun yet unshakeable knowledge that, yes the jury is in, and polar bears don’t cry. “How do they know? How - do - they - know??” John Kennedy asks over and over on his RadioX X-Posure show. Well John, we just do. The EP release is followed up by a Paris debut at club Supersonic for the ’They’re Gonna Be Big’ show on December 7th.