School of Seven Bells's new EP, Put Your Sad Down, should, on paper at least, make for an intriguing listen. Originally a 3 piece outfit, until one of the pair of identical twins who formed the band quit, School of Seven Bells take an unconventional approach to creating their sound. Gaining considerable attention for fitting their music around the lyrics they initially conceive of, most recent album Ghostory - released earlier this year – follows a character confronted by 'ghosts' from her past.

School of Seven Bells at times show flashes of real intelligence in this latest EP, proving there is substance to the quirky and quite frankly bizarre trio. Yet too often Put Your Sad Down sounds like an attempt to move trashy 90s euro trance into the realm of post ironic avant-garde, with understandably disturbing consequences. The 13 minute title song exemplifies this awkwardness.  Few bands would have the audacity to contain so much contrast within one track; floaty synth clashes with a thumping drum beat and fidgety electronic effects. And at times it works, with the scattered melody proving oddly enthralling. It feels like School of Seven Bells have done the hard work, creating a unique and absorbing sound. Yet instead of culminating into a complete end product, their unusual combinations quickly become repetitive, and what could be a genuinely fresh approach feels formulaic, jarred, and calculated to the point that it loses its authenticity. 'Secret Days' and 'Faded Heart' feel somewhat less contrived, yet singer Alejandra Deheza's vocals feel slightly off-key; similar in some ways to the commanding voice that Fever Ray uses so effectively, yet where it should be piercing and emotive, feels measured and almost detached.

School of Seven Bells feel like a band I should like but somehow can't, yet paradoxically this EP feels like a collection of songs I shouldn't like, but in some ways do. Even its title Put Your Hands Down doesn't quite work. Whilst it should play on feelings of emotional catharsis and even comes close to doing so, it instead sounds slightly awkward, clunky instead of genuine. Whilst this EP isn’t without high points, it proves ultimately to be a frustrating listen, containing much promise that has regrettably been left, for the most part, unfulfilled.