EP OF THE DAY: SHY AROUND STRANGERS

In “Victorian Ghosts,” Shy Around Strangers lead singer Emily Powers throatily purrs, “Boys touch me down / Girls love to play with my hair / We are everywhere.” In actuality, they’re not quite everywhere, at least not yet; right now it’s extremely difficult to find out much about the New York-based trio — there are no videos on the internet depicting the band and a lone publicity photo, revealing only the three members’ eyes — but they’re on the verge of breaking out of their shell with the release of their excellent eponymously titled debut EP and hosting a live release party at the Grand Victory in Brooklyn on September 26 with Bikini Carwash and Primes. Shy Around Strangers consists of Powers, who is also part of Eva & Her Virgins and Elliott Has Powers and has just self-published her first book, Rich People Don’t Eat Unripe Bananas, a collection of personal writings and drawings; drummer Mike Dawson, who has written such graphic novels as Troop 142 and Freddie & Me: A Coming-of-Age (Bohemian) Rhapsody and runs Elohino Productions; and Peruvian-born multifaceted guitarist, composer, and producer Darko Saric. The three have decided to let their music do the talking for them, and that choice more than holds up throughout the EP’s five tracks, which combine elements of Goth rock with eighties postpunk alternative, along with homages to such forerunners as Blondie and Bob Dylan. “Pretend you’re someone real / Peel off your inhibitions,” Powers proclaims on “It’s Alright” shortly after space-age sounds take off behind her. “You’re gonna do it right / Stand up, hold it tight / Smile and wave and give them what they want.” On this introductory EP, Shy Around Strangers seem to know just how to give people what they want.