Social Youth Cult deliver their most confident and assured set of singles with their new double A-side offering.

The EP begins with Black Lipstick, which introduces the running voicemail intro that connects both tracks together nicely on the double single.

Care has been taken to give the track a unique production. I particularly enjoyed the drum track, which sounded distant in the mix, giving the song a distinct feel.

Gothic guitars surround this in the mix, drenched in heavy reverb that echoes the early work of The Cure. Decorating all of this are the gorgeous vocals, which bring gravitas to the track and a haunting energy.

Overall, the track emphasises the gothic edge of the group’s music, with dark lyrics and a stark vibe reminiscent of groups like Siouxsie and the Banshees.

The second track, Different Language, buzzes with energy and an almost live style of production, bringing immediacy to the track.

It’s clear that across the two tracks, effort has been made to make the production stand out among their contemporaries. With its sparse yet raw feel, the group succeeds in crafting an intriguing sonic palette to complement their songwriting.

The strong vocal delivery continues in this track, with a touch of Nick Cave in the delivery, especially in the first verse. Lyrically, the track alludes to love turning sour, twisting this theme into a dark and moody vibe.

The guitar work on the track is incredible with a more aggressive approach which complements the overall feel well.

Overall, these latest two tracks from Social Youth Cult find the band continuing to mature and grow to excellent effect.