Hartlepool’s Prefect Records forthcoming release features the Ohio based janglers The Laughing Chimes. The EP collates three tracks from their 2021 debut album In This Town onwards, also taking along for a spin a single and EP track.

It opens with the late 2021 single Laurel Heights which has always sounded like Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes at full throttle to these ears, jangling to its heart’s content in a full on 1980s retro style. The title track of last year’s Zoo Avenue EP follows, mixing jangle-pop up with vocals and melodies that have a 1960s feel. The backing vocals fully emphasise that view and, erm, sound.

The EP closes with Try To Change My Mind from that aforementioned album. It’s jangle-pop at it’s most catchy and harmonic with its pure pop feel. The fact that it sounds a bit like The La’s in places is high praise indeed.

This EP is a great starting introduction to the band, and you will be guaranteed to start delving into their back catalogue before it has even finished. The Best Of The Laughing Chimes E​.​P. will be released via Prefect Records in vinyl and digital formats on September 22 2023.

It’s also being released under the title Laurel Heights across the pond via Slumberland Records on the same day.