Here’s a four-track CD Ep from former Residents' lead songwriter Hardy Fox. As its title suggests it features a cover of the Eagles track, as well as three trips into off-kilter & avant skewed electronica, that is often overhung by Hardy’s wavery and weak vocals.

The EP comes presented in a glossy card slip- on its front we have a picture of a grey city block, with the Ep’s title scrawled out in green text. On the back, we have what looks like a close-up picture of a lime slice on top of an ice cube.

So, opening up the EP we have the cover of The Eagle’s “Hotel California” – and really aside from the lyrics, it’s difficult to see how this connects with the original. It opens with a loosely bound electro beat, hovering tone purr, and Hardy’s wavering vocals. The beat suddenly drops out, and we find a spread-out blend of sinister bass hovers, synth stabs, and a beat that tries to kick in, then falters. It’s undoubtedly a great wonky & original take on this most recognisable track.

As we go through the EP we have snapping ‘n’ banging electro jazz beats, jaunting organ, and spacy abstract electronica of “Secretions”. There’s the glum avant electro-pop chug of “Bassific” which finds Hardys mumbling about pressing his crotch and pondering about an audience that may/ may not be there. With the EP playing out with unsettling looped warbling vocal sample & beats, light atmospheric guitar sear, and tone blended avant electronica of “Pray The Moon”.

Hotel California EP is another worthwhile selection of tracks from Hardy Fox’s vault- as of course he very sadly passed from this world in 2018. It's Great to see Klanggalerie releasing this EP, and if you liked Mr Hardy’s past output, you’ll also dig this.