Simple is Good is the new six-track EP from Edinburgh band Meursault. The release marks the first new music from Meursault in three years and leads the way for a full-length album (I Will Kill Again) in early 2017. The band recently played a triumphant comeback gig in Edinburgh and is led by singer/songwriter Neil Pennycook. During the band’s hiatus, Pennycook kept busy by writing and performing under the name Supermoon. A return to the name Meursault has been well-received and as a result, the promise of new music is very much anticipated.

The EP kicks off with the title track and lays the foundations for the following 23 minutes. A delicate piano refrain is complemented by the distinct vocals of Neil Pennycook and the listener is presented with vast and serene sounds. The following track By Gaslight picks up the pace and tempo, without compromising on the passion or expansive music of the opener. A definite standout on the EP is the track A Killer Chorus. The brittle fragility in the vocals is sublime and creates an intimate and unperturbed atmosphere. Simple is Good ends with the understated and excellent Albeit Barely, a short track which offers a satisfying conclusion to a fleeting collection of songs. Overall, Simple is Good is a magnificent return for Meursault. It continues the epic and grand nature of the 2012 album Something For the Weakened, but somehow manages to feel thoughtful and graceful in nature.

Simple is Good was released on Song, By Toad Records on 28 November 2016 as a digital download and a Limited Edition hand printed CD. The EP marks the end of a great year for the label with other notable releases from Modern Studies and Virgin of The Birds. With I Will Kill Again due on 20 February 2017, it looks like the next twelve months will be exciting, busy and significant for Meursault. Let’s hope that Simple is Good is a taster of what is to come.