Egyptian Hip Hop

“Moon Crooner”
from the EP Some Reptiles Grow Wings
2010

It’s late on in 2010, but four Mancunian students are making a quick break from the underground electro/indie scene under the moniker of Egyptian Hip Hop. Some Reptiles Developed Wings is a four-track EP released by the quartet who’ve been very much at the helm of the indie radar all over the UK in the last few months.

They’ve seen every single small stage and tent at festivals across Europe during the summer, taking with them a growing fanbase to which they now present their debut EP.

Opening with the synth heavy “Moon Crooner” the track sounds like something the ’80s threw out, vocalist Alexander Hewett douses the track with his lazy, teenage boy vocals that give the band their unique selling point. “I won’t play around / I won’t let you down, my girl” sings Hewett, making this somewhat the ballad of the EP.

“Rad Pitt” follows suit in terms of Alex’s “I’ve-just-woken-up” vocals and seems to be the earliest known crowd favorite before the band started to get picked up by the blogosphere and respected journalists. This track, unlike the opener, puts the lead guitar into the limelight, delivering a twinkly sound reminiscent of Foals, The Maccabees, and similar acts.

But fear not electro fans, it’s not all twee-pop as track three sounds like a Late of the Pier B-side meets the futuristic stylings of early Klaxons remixed with Gary Numan. “Middle Name Period” is the sole instrumental on Some Reptiles Developed Wings, delivering a captivating musical interlude into the closing track of the EP.

Concluding the EP is “Native,” which plays like a musical backdrop to a documentary about jungle exploration. It feels like a metaphor for the start of the journey Egyptian Hip Hop are about to embark on into the deep dark depths of the music industry.

It’s a huge release for the boys and although lacking debut single “Wild Human Child,” a track which illustrates the funkier side of the band, this is an essential EP for anyone who takes even a passing interest in Egyptian Hip Hop or experimental music.