Kevin Bronson on December 15th, 2015

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Are you ready to fall head-over-Abelton for another synth-pop duo? And will it be a long-term relationship or “Temporary Love,” as the title of The Brinks’ debut EP suggests? It is frankly hard to tell, because last spring’s Hype Machine alt-pop/electro-R&B sensations seem already buried in a digital landfill, destined come up on random play and inspire the question, “Oh, I remember that — who did that song again?” The Brinks — the Venice-based collaboration of NYC-bred producer Matt Friedman and Australian singer Scott Mellis — will no doubt face that identity crisis by spring thaw. To the EP’s credit, it boasts tasteful, restrained production with space for Mellis’ yearning vocals. In “Stoned,” there’s a cool, scratchy guitar outro. There is the title track’s always-relevant and elegantly stated question. Beyond that “Temporary Love” (released earlier this month via Sony) has very familiar tropes and themes: pitch-shifting gimmickry and other effects and too little lyrically to elevate it above background music for your favorite TV romance. Swipe left, swipe right, you decide.

||| Stream: “Temporary Love” EP

||| Also: Watch the video for “Hide Your Love”