On their debut U.S. EP,
Somebody to You, British boy band
the Vamps work hard to associate themselves with bigger, better-known acts. The acoustic guitars and strings that dominate songs such as the sprightly "Move My Way" evoke the more sensitive side of
One Direction and
5 Seconds of Summer, a connection they make even clearer by covering hits by each of those bands ("Midnight Memories" and "She Looks So Perfect," respectively). Add in a version of the title track featuring
Demi Lovato and the Mumford & Sons-esque banjos on "Wild Heart," and the result is a band covering all the bases it can. Fortunately,
the Vamps bring enough of their own charm to the proceedings to make the EP an enjoyable introduction for stateside listeners. ~ Heather Phares