The Urges are returning with double A-side ‘Fire Burning / I’ve Been Here Before’. It is released this Saturday, April 21st, which of course is Record Store Day.

These guys really excited when they first arrived on my radar with ‘Around and (Around again)’ and later with their debut album Psych Ward. The Urges were never a band concerned with cool current trends, they made no bones about their affinity for 1960s garage/psychedelic music. This is something that continues to resonate with both new tracks. ‘Fire Burning’ and ‘I’ve Been Here Before’ remain swathed in ’60s sounds, yet there is a little less inclination to tumble into frenetic psychedelic freakouts. Instead, preferring to embrace the softer subtleties of the genre, including the wonderfully addition of horns create a wholly smoother, soulful upbeat vibe.

This is their interpretation of a genre and era they know and love, what makes them stand out is (as before), it is executed with love and expert precession. It’s great to see them releasing new material and with an album apparently coming later in the year, things might just get even better.

Fire Burning / I’ve Been Here Before is out April 21st, on 7″/CD & there’s a launch party on Saturday May 5th in Sweeneys, Dame St.