The Room In The Wood ‘The Mars EP’ Review: 4 song release from New Wave vets is a space oddity indeed.

The Room were a cult UK New Wave act that formed in the late 70’s and drew acclaim from the likes of John Peel for their accomplished angular sound.

The band broke up in the mid 80’s, but have reformed–well partially that is, with former members Dave Jackson and Paul Cavanaugh reuniting as the two piece outfit The Room In The Wood. And they’ve recently released The Mars EP (via A Turntable Friends Records) a sci-fi inspired collection of tunes that while steeped in their lush post-punk pedigree, adds 60’s psychedelia and general weirdness for good measure.

Opener Mars (Won’t Save Us) kicks off with a fuzzy garage riff before expanding into jangle guitar textures and Jackson’s remote, spaced-out delivery.

Time Machine has some Johnny Marr’ish guitar texture, making for an airy tune perfect for a Sunday drive with the windows down.

The EP gets darker and weirder in the second half–Every Lie has the dark country confessional feel of a Nick Cave track, flecked with religious imagery and a dirge-like delivery, while last track Get Clear has spaghetti western atmosphere to spare, topped with a snaky riff and shuffling percussion,

The Mars EP is a fun four-track romp, full of disorienting sonics and cinematic atmosphere and makes for a good entry point to the band. It would make a fine pairing to watch NASA’s Insight Lander footage (even if the title track suggests it’s all a waste of time).

Buy The Room in The Wood’s ‘The Mars EP’ on Amazon: