It’s been a busy time for rock quintet Lucy’s Last since they burst onto the scene earlier this year with sultry rock’n’roll debut Jenna two summers ago. Made up of Mia Scerri on vocals, George Sapiano on guitar, Mark Attard on keyboards, Aaron Cachia on bass, and Elton Grech on drums, since its inception in 2014 the band went on to perform a number of high-energy, raucous gigs that fast-established it as a name to watch out for on the local scene.

Jenna was followed by the release of The Otherside earlier this year – a considerably darker entry than Jenna, with its post-apocalyptic undertones. And now, the lads and lady will be launching their debut EP, Syllabus of Errors, with a bang at Razzett l-Ahmar this Saturday; a five-track offering that amply shows what the band has been up to in between gigs. The EP kicks off as it means to continue with the instrumental 3Am Vigil – strong, determined riffs and tight musicianship. 3AM Vigil morphs into Tale from the Pond, which continues to build upon its predecessor’s motif while giving a chance to Scerri to show off her vocals. Always distinctive, Scerri’s voice has now really come into its own with this recording.

One element in Lucy’s Last works that always attracts is that of story-telling. It might be abstract and ambiguous, but there’s always a good narrative to a Lucy’s Last track and, with this EP, things are no different. As has now become the band’s trademark, the mood is dark, yet tongue-in-cheek and there’s also a subtle social commentary that stings in many of the lyrics, if you watch out for it.

The third track, Rabbits (listen to exclusive preview of the track here: 

, is probably my favourite. Apart from the seamless manner the aggressive and frantic bass and percussions alternate with more subdued keys, this track hooked me in immediately with an intro that’s almost eerie and that allows Scerri to jump in immediately with lines like “I’m gonna tie you to the sun, so you burn while you watch me having fun”. The intentional rawness of the vocals leaves the desired effect.

Ennui follows, with more urgent riffs and biting lyrics – though certainly not as biting as Pious, the closing track. As the title itself hints, the topic is religious – with lines like “He’s waiting for the choir boys, he’s been there before...their angelic voices really take him high, one of them bows down and he looks to the sky” – it leaves the listener in no doubt as to the message it’s delivering. With a rather mellow intro that evolves into a catchy hook, the track is a clear denunciation of hypocrisy couched in understated riffs and a catchy hook. Incidentally, the accompanying video (directed and edited by Scerri herself and featuring Dorian Mallia and Diane Portelli from Moveo Dance Company ) is also a polished affair that mesmerises.

Compared to the band’s first two recordings, Syllabus of Errors is a considerably stronger product that does not shy away from making a statement, both from a musical and a lyrical perspective. The band has certainly found its sound.

Lucy’s Last will be launching Syllabus of Errors with a life performance on Saturday at Razzett l-Ahmar, Attard. There will also be DJ Sets by Laavemaux, Ben Vincenti and Kntrl.

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