EP Review: Max Jax Relax

Wellington based 3-piece Max Jax Relax debut two moody, stripped back productions oozing melancholy beyond their years. Taking a less is more approach, their first release gives the listener a solid prelude into what the lads are all about.

Still Here stands out as the stronger of the two tracks; its instrumentation kept to a minimum creating space for the vocals to breathe. Loosely double tracked verses verge on breaking out at any moment in an almost Grime like fashion, while lyrical content evokes imagery of a smoke-filled garage party all but disbanded by the early hours of the morning.

Lie To Me shifts gears slightly but retains a familiar bop and bounce that’s set up during the intro. It’s easy to imagine this particular track being a popular sing-a-long with a live audience; its graspable, reverbed soaked vocals adding to the backbone of the groove in a pleasing way.

Although future releases should be welcomed and anticipated from the MJR gang, there’s a hint of restrain to the way in which these tracks have been executed and it would be great to see a more in-depth expansion into the framework they are no doubt setting up for themselves.