After an expanded reissue of their 2023 debut album Things Are Gonna Be Alright earlier this year, London’s Vegas Water Taxi return with the Long Time Caller EP, a wry soundtrack to post-breakup self-sabotage. Across five songs, frontman Ben Hambro fixates on the guys who might replace him, with useful and relatable insights: “If you suffer for your art, small plates is where you start” (from Birkenstocks). Heartache and humor make an enchanting relationship. Jealousy has rarely sounded as catchy as in Jerry: “Sweet Jerry gonna kiss my baby’s arms.”

Where the lyrics are as engaging as those of Jonathan Richman, musically the band leans into breezy alt-country warmth—including pedal steel, violin, and harmonies—but with an indie rock punch. It makes this an endearing listen.

The Long Time Caller EP, produced and mixed by Louis Milburn and Ben Hambro, is out now digitally via PNKSLM Recordings. Featuring Ben Hambro (guitar, vocals, bass, synth), Fred Lawton (bass, guitar, vocals), Charlie Meyrick (drums, guitar, bass, vocals), Molly Shields (vocals), Rhodri Brooks (pedal steel), Louis Milburn (organ), and Holly Carpenter (violin).

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