Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Over the last few years, Coastal Dune have gone from being a student band making low budget recordings to being a bunch of mainly married postgrads making not quite so low budget records. Relocating from Durham where they formed to Nottingham to make touring more viable, the band have taken time to build a following on the London scene while shopping for a deal. This five track EP sees some welcome new material and builds on the formula of their independent album 'Bluegreen'. Melodic pop sensibilities combined with some edgy guitar, Beck's distinctive vocals and Andy Wolfe's left field touches give the band a strong sound. The band do a good line in penning obtuse lyrics where truth is to be found if you delve beneath the surface. So what do you get? The muscular driving groove and catchiness of the title cut gets this off to a flying start and then there's the haunting, uplifting "Yet To See". The songwriting within the group is maturing with every release and "Quiet" highlights the less commercial side of the band where they continue to make music that stretches their boundaries. "All That's Good" gives the band a chance to rock out and contains one of those annoyingly catchy choruses that won't surrender! The EP closes with a stripped down gorgeous version of their popular "Until I Reach You" which has been slowed down to fine effect, giving Becky a chance to get her tongue round the extraordinarily huge number of words in the verses! Still a band with their best music ahead of them and an eye for the main chance, 'Survive' is their most accomplished recording yet.

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