Album Review: COIN – How Will You Know If You Never Try

Nashville quartet COIN have released their sophomore album ‘How Will You Know If You Never Try’ releasing a blistering punch of summery 90’s vibes and infectious pop anthems that will rock your world.

Following on from the success of their self-titled debut album in 2015, Joe Memmel (guitar), Chase Lawrence (synth/vocals), Zach Dyke (bass) and Ryan Winnen (drums) are given the chance to express themselves in an attempt to “embrace the inevitable.”

Opening track ‘Don’t Cry, 2020’ starts the album off fiery with a driven drum beat and up-tempo guitars has me, and should have you hooked at the first chorus. All about living in the present, just “Don’t Cry, it’s all gonna be alright” and you’ll be fine.

‘Boyfriend’ follows similar suit, with their alt-pop brings it to the heights of their hit single ‘Talk Too Much’. Released in May 2016, COIN have clearly taken their infectious blend of driven rock and indie-pop to the next level, catching the mainstream media by the hand and been sucked into their marvellous music.

Tracks like ‘I Don’t Wanna Dance’ and ‘Are We Alone?’ bring it back to their debut album with fast paced action packed indie rock yet feels so laid-back and has a cool, casual vibe to it. ‘Lately II’ has snippets of their original track but pure, echoey voices from the background make it feel all the more surreal making use of synths, quiet rhythms, and altered vocals to make it feel like a throwback to 80s pop and new wave.

My personal favourite ‘Feeling’ takes summer to the next level. The lyrics on the album are geared towards mass-understanding, but none the worse off for that. COIN’s carefully curated lyrics make all the songs relatable, but still make you think, and become more complex on songs like ‘Feeling’ and ‘Heart Eyes’, which reminds me of Day Wave’s alt pop, and lets the lyrics and few background melodies shine.

Finishing off on a sombre note ‘Malibu 1992’. Written under a flickering fluorescent light four years ago COIN have created the ultimate chilled out tune. Washed out guitars and a relaxing drum beat completes ‘How Will You Know If You Never Try’ where you can just sit back, relax and just simply breathe it all in.

‘How Will You Know If You Never Try’ track listing:

1. Don’t Cry, 2020
2. Boyfriend
3. Talk Too Much
4. I Don’t Wanna Dance
5. Hannah
6. Are We Alone?
7. Heart Eyes
8. Lately II
9. Feeling
10. Miranda Beach
11. Malibu 1992