Projections
We Couldn't Speak / Twenty Three

Another Cat On Form spin-off, following Blood Red Shoes' superb 7" on Jonson Family, Projections are a more considered offering than BRS's manic punk energy. 'We Couldn't Speak' grinds its way through a minute-and-some, never picking up additional pace nor breaking into bouts of reckless aggression. It is taut - possibly post-punk, if you need a hanger for each and every release - and the vocals are crisp and clear; don't believe the title, then.

The song's flip side, 'Twenty Three', is so different you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a split release: where 'We Couldn't Speak' maintains a trajectory, 'Twenty Three' has a radar on the blink and a flight plan that's burnt away at the edges, destroying the destination entirely. Therefore it's guesswork from the word go, as drums progressively grow louder and a distorted guitar's presence becomes unsettlingly noticeable. It rumbles and crashes, gaining momentum, instrumentally throughout, as it heads into the unknown; you, flying economy of course, just strap yourself down and assume whatever position the now-absent attendant demonstrated earlier; chances are she jumped with the sole parachute miles back. When the side of the mountain looms, all you or anyone can do is brace for the inevitable... which never comes. Just a fade-out, and the needle returns to base.

You'd call it disappointing, but you're still breathing. So why not go around again?