So Cow
The Long Con
[Goner Records]
So Cow, the closest thing to a prestige act the current boom of quality Irish indie has, are back and for the first time ever somebody’s after letting them into a proper studio. Part of the joy of previous So Cow releases was that, despite their taut songwriting, there was always a pervading sense of damp, West coast potting sheds that these power-pop gems came tumbling out of. So, it’s a relief to So Cow diehards that despite fact Kelly’s multi-tracking pop-hermit days seem to be drawing to a close, there is still a sense of this being the product of an artist who embraces a self-imposed rural remove from accepted cool-guy indie culture. Producer Greg Saunier (of Deerhoof fame) thankfully doesn’t just round off the rough edges but makes the jagged bits all the more satisfyingly pointy.
Wry irony has always been a crucial ingredient in the So Cow stew and there is no shortage of it in the fact that overriding lyrical theme on this, undoubtedly their most “grown-up” sounding record, is a bewilderment and discomfort with ageing itself. In his own unique style Kelly describes in hilarious detail the sad realities of how friends drift apart, every takeaway comes with a complimentary side of shame and it’s impossible to find anyone to get pissed drunk with on a Tuesday. Sullen malaise has never sounded this much fun.
Like this? Try these:
Squarehead – Respect; The Clean – Vehicle; Tall Dwarfs – Hello Cruel World
Words: Danny Wilson
