extra life is a new york-based band led by guitarist/ vocalist/ composer charlie looker, a core member of the noise/chamber group zs and collaborator for dirty projectors, john zorn, william parker and john zorn. formed in 2007, extra life combines elements of dark romantic pop a-la bowies berlin period, aggressive math rock a-la slint, modern classical compositions and medieval vocal music, which the album title, secular works, refers to. secular works is without a doubt one of the most unique albums weve ever heard. it is challenging and rewarding, complex but melodic, intellectual but within reach. for fans of xiu xiu, dirty projectors, the dead science and sun city girls.