Can you resist?
It's been two years since the release of Orange's album "Phoenix" and although this period has been decorated with the occasional single and video here and there, it's about time Orange fans had something meatier to dig their teeth into. With producer Ryan Hewitt (who has previously worked with punk rock royalty such as Blink 182 and Sum 41) at the helm, the promise surrounding this short, concise EP is quite overwhelming.
Opener 'Resist' is, however, somewhat of a slow starter, constricted by a tempo that is far too leisurely and prevents the flow of momentum. As the track nears the end, it does seem to unearth its groove, but until then the song just seems to drag excruciatingly. With the injection of a little pace, however, it does seem to be the kind of track that would excel in a live performance scenario, as the composition is harmonically and melodically sound. 'Pistols and Pills' ignites the EP with a bundle of energy, with the track truly shining as it reaches the catchy, harmonised choruses. Closing song 'Elektron Gun' returns to a much more traditional Orange sound, taking us back to a style that drew heavier inspiration from the likes of Rancid and it's a delight to see that the quartet have not abandoned their roots. Efforts have clearly been made to avoid regression, with Orange frontman Joe Dexter straying out into rapping territory for the first time and producing fairly sincere results.
"Phoenix" offered some genuine pop punk highlights and the Los Angeles foursome have set the bar very high for themselves. Although a sturdy EP, the release of "Dead Sexy" feels much more like a filler to comfort their fanbase; a statement of, "We're still here! Please don't forget about us!" With the forthcoming album set to premiere the collaboration between Dexter and Shawn Harris (of The Matches fame), there is plenty for punk fans to be getting excited about. In the meantime, the short three track "Dead Sexy" EP will have to suffice.