Higher Than The Stars is the second EP release from the Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and it’s really rather good. Their first EP, released in 2007, attracted rave reviews – the Pains were the band being name-dropped in the blogosphere. They released their first album earlier this year, which went down a storm, and this time they’re back with a further five tunes mixed by indie legend Archie Moore (from Velocity Girl and Black Tambourine).

I have to say, I hate their name – it’s nauseatingly twee and saccharine. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Don’t let this put you off – the album was released to critical acclaim and this EP is far from a collection of dregs from the eponymous album. Along with a St. Etienne remix of the title track, it’s an interesting assemblage. The EP continues in the same seraphic vein as their previous work, opening with the title track Higher Than The Stars. The first few chords feel like a poor man’s opening to a Smiths song, but then Kip Berman’s soft vocals kick in, and the wistful pop that defines the band so well materializes; setting the tone for the EP. It’s difficult to take a song that repeats the words “bumble fuck” seriously, but the Pains somehow manage to pull it off.

The second song on the album is energetic 103, which has proven to be a real crowd pleaser at the band’s live shows. Falling Over follows; demonstrating keyboardist and co-vocalist Peggy Wang’s gossamer voice. This is the catchiest song on the album, a hazy female-male vocal mix with strong bass. Twins is the final original song on the EP, a darker song that preludes the St. Etienne remix of Higher Than The Stars. To be honest, the original is better than the remix, with the remix eventually sounding rather repetitive, but it’s not terrible.

The Pains’ label is surely key to their meteoric success. Slumberland Records are celebrating their twentieth anniversary this year, and Slumberland’s devotion to this sort of fuzzy, dreamy indie-pop is a huge part of the label’s and the Pains’ success. The Pains’ seem to wear their fondness for Slumberland on their sleeves – their black & white artwork is a clear nod to the label, and the songs on the EP sound like dozens of the songs that Slumberland was releasing when the label was first founded. Indeed, the Pains have received a lot of comparisons; many of these are obvious comparisons to late eighties bands such as the Jesus And Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine. It is far too easy to shrug them off as shoegaze and C86 revivalists – though they’re clearly influenced by this era. It’s true, they’re not a particularly innovative band, but they do have the hooks and the catchy indie pop guitar to make them frontrunners in their field.

Higher Than The Stars is an appropriate name for an EP from the Pains. Their music conjures up celestial imagery; it’s the kind of music to lazily daydream to. It isn’t going to change the world – they’re certainly not focusing on being groundbreaking; but it’s a gratifying listen full of aplomb. Words like ‘fuzzy’, ‘dreamy’ and ‘shimmery’ define it and it’s perfect for autumn listening. Best song on the EP? 103 – a live show favourite, full of energy and with a lovely slice of solo guitar.

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