Cola - The Gloss

Released: 14/06/2024

Influenced by the DIY ethic of Dischord and SST, the Montreal post-punk trio Cola's dazzling sophomore LP is a testament to what you can do with the minimal palette of drums, bass and guitar when you have bags of invention, and a knack for winsome one-liners “ their songs being as impressive as their name is an absolute SEO nightmare.

Comprising Ought's Tim Darcy and Ben Stidworthy, and drummer Evan Cartwright, Cola undoubtedly have aspects of the now-defunct Ought's off-kilter art rock, and Darcy's considerable lyrical skill, which brings to mind the wryly gnomic poetry of Silver Jews' late genius David Berman, is still present and correct; but the group's songs are simplybetterthan those of Darcy and Stidworthy's previous outfit: less frantic, melodically and rhythmically more inventive, and, as with the wonderful Keys Down If You Stay', which will hit you right in the feels, often searingly lovely. If you're a fan of equally irreverent and dazzlingly imaginative bands such as Pavement, Protomartyr, and Television,The Glossis a must.