This is a nice piece of work. Pahlman was formerly of Agent Kooper, but has eschewed their altogether more plugged-in sound for a chance to explore his folky, gut-string side. The departure isn’t that radical, if truth be told: there was frequently a reflective and somewhat lyrical sensibility to some of Agent Kooper’s work (Road Song, for example). But with their demise, Pahlman temporarily relocated to Washington State, USA and welcomed an infusion of lo-fi acoustic west coast vibes.

Pahlman is a n experienced songwriter and it shows: there are plenty of influences to be heard underpinning his change of direction, but they are largely worn lightly and with confidence. The opening track (and single) Miss Lonelyhearts is redolent of The Low Anthem in its gently loping Americana opening, but broadens its palette pleasingly.

Ghosts lopes along with promise and decent musical changes of direction, let down by intermittently clunky lyrics in the verses (“since you’ve been gone old buildings were torn, new babies were born/the world keep on turning”). Waves is a pretty, pared back affair: its simple melody and handclaps-and-whistling instrumental break get the best out of Pahlman’s voice that by turns evokes Mercury Rev and Giant Sand.

Man Overboard manages a nice alchemy – none of the individual ingredients is a head turner, but the totality of the song draws you in to something warming, nourishing even. Dreams in the Headlights has less to commend it than the other tracks: too much Springsteen-lite perhaps?

Pahlman (who is touring middle Europe at the moment) promises much with this EP and listening to an album in the same vein would be no hardship at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMxOBiIIoYk&feature=youtu.be