EP Review: Late Night Legacy

Times x Two have been somewhat of a staple in the New Zealand festival scene for a while, but they have now stepped up and are showing NZ just how big they can be with the release of their new EP Late Night Legacy. The EP cover art is strong and regal, with Cader and Zee against a rich red background; somewhat of a reflection of the objective of the EP itself, as there are some solid tracks that are sure to blow up.

Way2Real kicks off the EP very well. No need for a buffer or slow build up, it is straight into the music and introduces the details of who they are, what they’re up to and how far they’ve come. This track is straight up and shows that they aren’t here to play around. The beat as it is luxuriously bass-heavy, which makes Way2Real a catchy track that would absolutely go off live. The video that was released for this track is essentially the duo performing the song in different scenes. It is a simple video but it shows how energetic and consistent their performance can be in a variety of environment.

The following track Dirty Diana is a direct contrast to Way2Real. Slower in pace, but still something that you can vibe along to. The track seems to reference a working girl who is known around the town and a bit damaged; she could change her lifestyle, but likes the money. It’s a good track and there are definitely positive elements, but the disparity when compared to Way2Real comes across as abnormal (The song does best when you listen to it separately, on its own merits, rather than by its position on the album). It does showcase the guys’ adaptability and flexibility in their style.

Hard In The Paint is the standout track on the EP. Robust and powerful, the track is about working hard, and has a solid beat that really pushes the emotion of the song. The track has a motivational quality to it, and just like Way2Real it will go off whether it’s in the club or being performed live.

Faithful is another track which showcases Times x Two’s mixing skills. Slower with a simple percussive beat, but flows perfectly. The vocals in this track are subtle and smooth, and this makes the lyrics roll better. Clearly a reflection of their own relationships. Where Is Your Heart has a strong and simple beat, but does come across too strong in some sections. The track flows on from Faithful well, also lyrically based around a relationship, but it seems come from a different angle, focusing on someone cheating on their significant other.

121 really kicks it back up again which is a bit of a nice way to end the EP. This track is lighter and more upbeat with a stunning instrumental sound. The video they released for this track reflects the same thing. The video has a summer element to it, and it seems brighter and more laid back than the video for Way2Real. What they are referring to in regards to the title 121is unclear, but it just sounds like they’re referring to the work they have put in and that they are moving on up. On an unrelated note, ‘Habibi’ could be a contender for the most used word for Times x Two and it is clearly a reference to their love for their fans and friends.

Late Night Legacy is a solid EP and has quite a mix on it considering it is only 6-tracks. There are some very solid tracks and though it comes across more like a taster of singles, especially with the layout of the tracks; jumping back and forth between hard/heavy and slow/soft. It will definitely be interesting to see what happens with these guys after the release of such a strong and convincing EP.

★★★★ (4 stars)

_{Review written by Shelley Te Haara}