EP Review: Scared Little Toaster – Scared of the Manual (Self Released)

‘Scared of the Manual’ is the debut EP by experimental bass and drums duo Scared Little Toaster. Out on January 30th, 2026.

Four tracks, three of which I’m very familiar with, seeing as they were released as singles prior to the EP dropping. Yet that doesn’t mean that it holds no value to me. Not only is there a track I’ve not heard before, but the completed collection has tons of replay value. Remember, the duo’s style and sound sits on the weirder side of the creative field, and that means you could spend a longtime unpacking tracks like VIBRA and NO DECAF.

The latter was the first track I think I ever heard from them, and it is still a baffling, fun, and wacky listen. Albeit one I understand better now thanks to how Scared Little Toaster show off an array of textured chaos, both in this song and across the EP. It, and the former track, are compelling and interesting, if not a bit mad too.

FAUVE is the track I’d not heard before, and unsurprisingly, it’s quite weird and quite wonderful. The bass and drums showcase a playful attitude at first, but in an instant, this one transforms atmospherically and takes on a more sinister form. It’s far from the only shift, and by time the track is over, you’ll feel like you’ve been on one hell of a journey.

It, like everything else, is extremely creative and undeniably experimental. It’s not for everyone. Even when a track like NUDIBRANCH has energy and groove, and all because even then, it’s a track filled with experimental eccentricities. The bassy thrums are really addictive, but for every person who falls in love with what it offers, another will likely hate it. Personally, I dig the hell out of what they do and reckon you should give them your time. Who knows, you might just come away changed by it!

Scared Little Toaster – Scared of the Manual Track Listing:

1. VIBRA
2. NO DECAF
3. FAUVE
4. NUDIBRANCH

Links

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