THERE is certainly no easy way to put The Anomalies in a box.

Lazy music journalists will certainly have their work cut out trying to define or sum up the Hereford group’s debut album in a short sentence or phrase.

For drum ’n’ bass, hip hop, rock, ska and even folk feature on the recently released Free Soup Social record.

Listening to the album is a bit like sprinting around Glastonbury in 45 minutes – so many styles are fused together that it is like catching a song at each of the festival’s many stages.

Some tracks such as Kid Riot even manage to do the impossible, mixing contrasting styles with bags of imagination to create a catchy, quick pop song.

Bicycle bells lead the rock intro before a heavy bass line quickens the pace and turns the song on its head.

And the final song, Reprisal, sees a classical violin lead the track into a dark drum ’n’ bass maze.

The inimitable album marks another achievement for The Anomalies – aka Sam Meehan and Mouthmaster Murf – who have already seen their music played by Radio 1 DJs including Jo Whiley, Edith Bowman and Huw Stephens.

The Anomalies completed a national tour last month with help from turntablist DJ Mayhem, bassist Pete Cooper and drummer Joey Holmes. Touring helped the group promote the album, but Murf admits work is already underway writing new material.

More live dates are planned including shows at the Nozstock and Wyeside Festivals while the bass-heavy single Margarita – with dub step influences (yet another genre) – is set for release on June 1.

Zane Lowe became the latest Radio 1 DJ to join The Anomalies’ fan club when he played the track on his evening show last week.