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.
https://soundcloud.com/gonerrecords/so-cow-barry-richardson-the-long-con
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
