Nightrock EP

Now where the hell did this come from? The Chalets have always seemed to operate on the edge of the Dublin scene, removed from the crowd to the extent that they almost became a jokey antithesis. Yet it has also enabled them to develop within their own unique environment. The first results came in the form of their impressive two track 7” earlier this year, but nothing that prepared you for the giant leap forward that is evident on Nightrock. The ante has been upped on every level – the playing, singing, presentation and production – and the songs sound less like the jumbled collection of ideas of yore and more like genuine contenders. The title track and ‘Kiss Chasing’ are arch forays into punk pop, ‘Love Punch’ tips the Cramps the wink and ‘David Boring’ borrows a little of the drama from, irony of all ironies, The Jimmy Cake and their ilk. With a tidy little label behind them and progress like this, it looks like the Chalets are going to surprise us all.