Cannons EP

Released in October 2010, the Cannons EP serves as the foundational blueprint for the Los Angeles-based trio's later success. While the band would eventually become synonymous with high-gloss, '80s-indebted synth-pop, this early four-track collection showcases a more grounded, indie-pop approach. The recording context suggests a transition from bedroom demos to a more cohesive studio identity, particularly evident in the contrast between the relatively polished 'Heartbroken Song #1' and the concluding demo version of 'Pretty Girl of Southern Living.' Critically, this EP established Michelle Joy's vocal style: a hushed, intimate delivery that sits forward in the mix, often compared to a secret being shared. The instrumentation relies heavily on the interplay between Ryan Clapham's melodic guitar work and Paul Davis's prominent, groove-oriented basslines. It occupies a specific niche in their catalog as their most 'organic' sounding release, predating the heavy disco and nu-disco influences of their later LP 'Shadows.'