/UCWE/ - After a whirlwind of label interest and blog frenzy over the past few years, Harlem Shakes have reformed, reevaluated and rediscovered themselves.

They have now decided to self-release their debut EP, Burning Birthdays, this February, 2007. Produced by Chris Zane (Asobi Seksu, Human Television, Les Savy Fav), the 5-song EP evokes all of Harlem Shakes' character and high-octane melodies, maintaining all the catchiness you've come to expect -- while adding the energy and depth they've been evoking live for the past few years.

Burning Birthdays is full of classic-yet-creepy pop songs stuffed with some of the most diabolical, yet touchingly hopeful, lyrics we've heard to date. There is still plenty of vintage Harlem Shakes catchiness, though, with intelligent pop melodies you can hum along to -- think Housemartins meet the Shins with Beach Boys harmonies and a dash of Eno-style weirdness.

The EP opens with the searing, Spector-esque "Carpetbaggers," ("a rock song complete with insanely catchy hooks and deliriously fun "oh-oh"s, all delivered with metronomic precision," exclaims Greenpeaness.org), leading right into "Red Right Hands," a barn-burner that sends you spinning onto the indie rock dance floor, where every kid is screaming footloose and fancy free, having the time of their lives. "Sickos" could very well be the catchiest song on the EP, with the wryly written chorus "If there's a bomb in your hand just throw it / If the ground's too hot, just run / This place is filled with Sickos!" What more can we say? Ironic, dry, and to the point.

The EP closes with "Old Flame" -- a huge, anthemic delight of guitars and pianos with a hint of flute that matches any tune that Paul Heaton has written in a long time (we still love you, Beautiful South!) -- which crashes to an end with the "oohs" and "aahs" of which the great pop songs are made.

Harlem Shakes have proven themselves to most New Yorkers over the past few years, opening for acts such as Arctic Monkeys, Fiery Furnances, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Deerhoof, and are now ready to take over the US and beyond. They recently played several well-received shows with Beirut, whose own John Natchez played sax and accordion on the EP. With Burning Birthdays, Harlem Shakes have opened up their hearts, minds, and melodies, and rewritten the archetypal pop song... all while delivering what will be the freshest and smartest sound of 2007.

Lexy Benaim - lead vox
Brent Katz - backing vox, drums
Kendrick Strauch - backing vox, keys
Todd Goldstein - backing vox, guitars
Jose Soegaard - backing vox, bass