Papernut Cambridge - Second Sun E.P.

We’re still outside the box for this week’s entry, and this is one of the most recent cassettes I own. I first became aware of Papernut Cambridge through their links to Darren Hayman (he and fellow former Hefner bandmate Jack Hayter are members, along with frequent collaborator Robert Rotifer), however they are very much (former Death in Vegas guitarist) Ian Button’s band. I bought a bunch of their stuff a few years ago, then bought this limited-edition cassette only EP upon release in 2017. It’s limited to only 50 copies and is oddly a C61 tape, containing the six tracks in mono on Side A, and then again, albeit in stereo, on Side B. I also have a feeling that I’ve never actually listened to this before, so let’s rectify that now.
 
Artist: Papernut Cambridge
Release: Second Sun E.P.
UK Record Label: Eggs in Aspic
UK Release Date: 31st March 2017
UK Single Releases from Album: N/A
 
Opener ‘Second Sun I’ is a laid-back gentle example of the band’s psych-pop sound, clocking in at a respectable 7.28 I’m enjoying the chilled-out harmonica on this one. Next, it’s ‘The Tragic Hills’, this one is definitely more rocking and wouldn’t sound out of place on Nuggets or something. Track 3 is ‘Never Fall in Love with the Ghost of a Feeling’, this is more in the vein of the first track, not bad or anything, but it doesn’t particularly stand out to me if I’m honest. That’s followed by ‘Lose Him’ and it’s definitely the highlight of the EP so far for me, sounding like a Rings Around the World era Super Furries b-side, I like this one a lot. The fifth track is ‘Second Sun II’, which appears to be a slightly different version of the opening track. It’s fine, but is barely any different to the first version, so I’m not entirely sure why it was included. The EP is brought to a close with a reprise of ‘Lose Him’, which as you might imagine, is just a bit more of the earlier track (though as I mentioned, it’s the best one, so a not unwelcome return). Then, as mentioned earlier, you get the same six tracks again, just in stereo this time. Obviously, there’s a few differences you might notice, but I’m not really sure I need to hear the near eight-minute track ‘Second Sun’ four times.
 
Overall an enjoyable enough listen, but it didn’t blow me away. I appreciated being presented with the opportunity to blog about something a bit more contemporary than is usual though.


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