This review gathers together Massacre House Party’s latest single, The Highway, which was released in the past weeks and a long-brewing review of their debut EP, If It’s Popular It’s not Cool.

Starting with the latter, which gathers together the band’s first singles and a new track, do not be fooled by the oh-so-hipstery title the trio picked – this EP is pure, high-octane rock’n’roll, the kind that will get you moving in your car seat, on the beach or wherever you happen to listen to it.

This trio – Sylvan Borg on vocals and guitars, Aaron Sammut on drums, percussions and backing vocals and Samwel Mallia on bass and backing vocals – has pulled off a collection that brings old-school rock together with that distinctive indie feel. The EP starts out exactly as it means to go on, with Come On (Come On) and its determined riffs and strong vocals, establishing a sound that is a very effective cross between the rock’n’roll of the 1960s and 1970s and the more modern mood of indie surf.

Love This City follows, another energetic track that showcases extremely tight musicianship, with the trio really getting the best out of the interplay between bass and drumming. Tear changes the mood somewhat to a more introspective one, although Sammut’s drums remain as insistent as does Mallia’s bass, which complements Borg’s vocals almost ridiculously well. These guys really know how to bring it all together.

Both the sound and the mood of Tear are escalated to great effect in The Thrill, with drums and bass kicking off immediately for a hi-octane piece that incorporates a definitely garage feel and an effective hook that together probably make this the strongest track on the EP.

But then the EP moves on to the fifth track, Uh-Oh! Amusing and sultry at the same time, this track is a little gem of pure fun, with a very catchy hook that seems to have been made with the specific intention of getting hips to sway on the dancefloor.

The track doesn’t take itself seriously. Do check out Sammut’s and Mallia’s backing vocals and I dare you not to chuckle. Maybe this is part of the ingredients that helps make the track magic – whatever it is, it certainly works. The EP comes to an end with Wake Up, initially sporting more sombre riffs and drums, putting the focus squarely on Borg’s vocals.

Which brings us to The Highway, the latest single that is not on the EP and that has been recorded, engineered, produced and mixed by Clint Spiteri of Dolls for Idols and Kntrl fame.

Killer riffs and drumming, especially in the short instrumental bit before the hook kicks in again towards the end. You definitely want to have these guys at your next summer party.

Catch Massacre House Party at their next gig on Saturday on the rock stage at the Farsons Beer Festival, Ta’ Qali.