The Lyrebirds have enjoyed something of an impetuous 12 months. Initial tours with the likes of The Maccabees and The Big Pink yielded an array of admirers, one of which happened to be lauded producer Stephen Street, preeminent for his work with The Smiths and Blur. So much so did the band endear themselves to Street, he set about engineering their debut single ‘Closer’ and follow-up ‘Catalyst’. Possessing an indisputable immediacy, the tracks enjoyed airplay on some recognised new music stations. Yet, the Brighton-based band’s truly surreal moment came when asked to play on the same bill as Neil Young at Hyde Park.

Once they had a chance to regain a sense of normality, they stepped back into the studio to produce their first extended release in the form of The Blondehead EP. From the off you sense the intensive touring – which has spanned to European dates – has amplified a confidence in where they want to go. ‘Now I Know Why’ welcomes you with a swirl of spiralling guitar work before the smouldering snarl of Adam Day snaps in with lines like “When you step into her bed / You step in her head”. Any shortcomings in guile are swallowed by an imposing vigour to create something indelible.

‘Only Dreaming’ treads dangerously close to the likes of Editors and White Lies but a palpable optimism sees them veer in the right direction. Their obvious knack for an expansive hook is sure to lure a fair audience, although the inability to profoundly resonate leaves a little to be desired. ‘Shadow Boxer’ begins with more restraint with a slightly sinister and louring riff displaying a well-received tactful approach. Day’s voice does at times begin to overpower some rousing instrumental as the track reaches its climax, when omitting some of the banal lyrics “I’d walk through the fire and the rain” would be to greater effect.

‘What A Beautiful Way’ exhibits the quintet’s outwardly sensitive side, as Day sinks to new tonal depths above a droning, distinctly less sanguine organ. Some tremolo guitar picking brings about a shift in tempo and culminates in a satisfying crescendo. The track sees the band’s individual musicianship come to the fore and as a consequence feels naturally more fulfilling. If it is a sign of the Lyrebirds beginning to shape a more refined route they might just be on to something.