★★★★★

Genre-bending duo Everyone You Know, brothers Rhys Kirkby-Cox and Harvey Kirkby have a verve, swagger and cheekiness that’s long been missing from music this past generation. Channelling the likes of early Plan B, The Streets, Chase + Status, and Kano, the pair are releasing their highly anticipated new EP ‘Just for the Times’, a flourishing and sprawling listen with 13 tracks that blur the boundaries of what exactly constitutes an EP, mixtape or an album.

Opening track ‘Higher’ blends rock, garage and soul in an intoxicating package, it’s the perfect introduction to the eclectic mix of sounds the duo will groove through over the following 40 minutes. There’s the smoother, trance like sounds of ‘Charlie’ with its hypnotic production that fits the hallucinatory vibe of the track. ‘There for You’ is the perfect example of why they got a coveted Reading mainstage slot this year as Rhy’s soulful vocals overlay pulsating and energetic house rhythms and beats.

The reflective ‘18’ shows a softer, more melodic pair to the duo. A brilliant and beautiful track that takes their sound in an interesting direction which is expanded on further on the sombre ‘Your Tears’ and the doting and delicate ode ‘Song for Remi’. ‘Crying on the Weekend’ holds its influences firmly on its sleeve, acting as a sort of response to the classic garage anthem ‘Flowers’, whilst referencing the likes of Jay-Z, Connor McGregor and a pint of Stella. 

A series of interludes throughout the collection show off the pair’s personality, a voice message introduces a flurry of impassioned bars on ‘No Sleep’, whilst ‘Human Again’ is just a small celebration, the sounds of friends meeting and crowds cheering, after the last 18 months never has 17 seconds encompassed so much. There’s even an interesting retrospective on masculinity and pride on the reflective ‘Open Up’.

‘Just for the Times’ is a polished project that knows how to pump up the energy and will likely have crowds bouncing off the walls when it comes to their upcoming tour. Notably, however, it also isn’t afraid to reflect on the pair's more personal side, letting listeners into their world with some beautiful moments of self-reflection. With such a varied sound and the ability to craft exciting and fresh rhythms through their production, there really is no limit to which direction the brothers will take their sound, this feels like the first thrilling chapter on that journey.