Where to start? This could be a completely different band to the one whose debut album I raved about just over two years ago, with very little left of The Future Prehistoric's sound upon which to find a footing here. Though I completely adored that album (and still do) this transformation is not a bad thing. The songs on this EP will apparently not feature on the upcoming album, and so I feel that perhaps it's an exercise in sonic and stylistic discovery, which is, in fact, a very very good thing.

The pop psychedelia is out the window, replaced with a whole mish-mash of genres and styles over seven tracks, all ably produced, mixed and mastered by Sydney personality SPOD, who seems to have left more than a few personal fingerprints on this work. There's lo-fi electronica, Avalanches-style samples, percussive frenzies, ambient pop, '90s hip-hop, effects-laden vocals, even a very Toecutter-ish party track.

They haven't completely turned their backs on their original style, however. Third track 'Intranaut (Return of The Space Hindu)' contains the droning and twisting sitars of The Future Prehistoric's 'March of Nandi', while 'Follow Me' is reminiscent of the beautifully languid 'Tromboon', or the steady dreaminess of the verses in 'Playdoh'. But that's the extent of it – two tracks, out of seven.

Interestingly, vocals are not a feature of this EP, with only 'Follow Me' and rap track 'Make It Chill' showcasing more than intermittent, distorted or altered vocal repetitions. Though it works here, I do hope the upcoming album will be less of an instrumental, as one of the most powerful aspects of The Future Prehistoric was not only Cartwright's lyrics, but his voice. It’s an instrument in itself, with a sound and timbre so distinctive and identifiable. And while it’s absence is fine for this hors d'oeuvre, as a main, it would feel as though an important ingredient had been left in the pantry cupboard.

The Summertime EP may be confronting to fans expecting more of the same, but this is the work of a band experimenting with its sound – and that’s always a good thing. Richard in Your Mind are proving there's much more to them and their sound than the indie psych tag they've worn for the last few years. I can't wait to see what will become of it.

by A.H. Cayley