South West indie rockers Cold Lips are back with their first self-titled EP. Being championed by BBC Radio Devon and playing multiple online gigs over lockdown, the quartet are already a mainstay within the local scene.
Building on their first three singles to craft a solid, six-track EP, the band show no signs of slowing down. With these previous releases now in context, the boys have produced a full and satisfying body of work. Taking us along for the ride, ‘Cold Lips’ is a vibrant, experimental debut with a lot to say.
Kicking off with ‘Another Man’, an energetic burst of dirty, low neck bass with vocals buried in like gravel. Toying with Black Keys guitar twangs, its Americana blues from south Devon. The gruff rhythm section casts a slightly eerie aura, adding weight to the lonely Nirvana-esque plea.
Rolling like thunder right into debut single ‘These People’. Being an observer in one’s own life – there’s an air of introspection. We scratch beneath the surface and are rewarded with a set of fly on the wall, witty reflections, expanding outside the generic girl-did-me-wrong stories. However, moon landing metaphors are always a win. This sulky, sullen boogie is driven by their trademark slap bass – reminiscent of certain themes and embellishments found within ‘Villains’ – Queens of the Stone Age. This huge entrance to the EP, however, is simply an appetizer…
‘No Shelter’ is a real hidden gem, a diamond in the rough. Serving us an unexpected Doors drawl, a husky, subtle vocal line that’s rippled into the riff. It’s an almost keyboard/ synth inspired main melody, with a Surf rock smirk hidden amongst the trickles of psychedelia. Thrown off by this wonky electronica, a bass and drum break down helps remind us that this is, in fact, Cold Lips. The spiralling hook is impressively relentless, everyone agreed it was to take centre stage. It purposely feels exposed, the track is exploring an atmosphere of solitude… as the name would suggest.
My stand out track from the whole project has to be ‘Trip’, opening with that same very bouncy, airy guitar riff from before. Oozing with the whammy bar, they really lean into those sticky fingers flourishes. The track springboards from whimsical ska flavours to a Spaghetti western. The initial breakdown is just crying out for a film score. ‘Trip’ is cocky, confident, its swaggers around the fretboard just like the boys strutting the stage. Unashamedly experimenting with dynamics and depth, the track is magnetic, pushing and pulling us in any direction it chooses. Spitting out blues licks with animalistic velocity, this Americana motif is back and as prominent as ever. A slow but powerful burner that culminates in an unsettling swell, spiking and hissing like a bonfire in the wind. The second act teases us again with yet another irresistible breakdown, you can’t help but walk a little taller.
Melting right into the honey-glazed ‘Only Rain’. The most intimate moment on the record, acting as more than just a breather, it dips into a ‘Yellow Ledbetter’ moment. Another strong track lyrically, intertwining with refreshingly delicate riffs, a lazy river song with one hell of a rip.
‘Jellyfish Drink’ was the last single before the EP dropped, the classic 60s sentiment is clear from the first strum – giving us Kinks characters but with a modern edge.
‘Cold Lips’ is a departure from the standard indie rock EP, bursting at the seams but never feeling chaotic or sludgy. The boys have crafted a mature, intricate record without losing spontaneity or any of their Cold Lip charm. The EP is out now on all major platforms and keeps updated with the band on Instagram @coldlipsband.
