NUMBER TWENTY-SEVEN
Dropping in a new discovery at number 27 this year in the form of Aussie Punk band - Camp Cope - and their second studio album How To Socialise & Make Friends.
I came across Camp Cope earlier this year after they had provided Falls Festival in Australia with some critique about their less-than-diverse line-up. An issue that we definitely still see a lot of worldwide today, however the lack of male/female diversity was particularly stark on this line-up. Seeing their take on it, I agreed and eventually had a listen to some of their music. Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich's galloping bassline on "The Opener" caught my attention straight away and lead singer Georgia Maq's hilariously sarcastic lyrics and very distinctive vocals cemented my interest. I can't even tell you how many times I've returned to this single since - it's up there in my Top 5 opening tracks of the year.
Camp Cope aren't concerned with sounding polished or polite - all the kinds of things that people associate with trying to socialise and make friends - Camp Cope push these to the side in favour of telling hard truths and not compromising themselves for anybody's comfort. The brutal honesty and expressively simple instrumentals all serve to bring clear moments of catharsis and emotion before the album's heartfelt closer "I've Got You" (written about the passing of Georgia's father). In a lot of ways this album feels like a debut record for the trio, and not just because it's the first album of theirs that I'd heard, but because it gives a real candid look into the lives and experiences of the group both individually and as one.
My favourite singles at the moment are "The Opener", "The Face of God", "Sagan-Indiana", and "UFO Lighter". The way in which Georgia almost talk-sings the lyrics at points easily brings the listener into the conversation of her mind. In an age where lyrics can often get lost behind splashy production and animated instrumentals, it's the first time in a while I've been able to listen and resonate with this many lyrics on first listen alone. I'm hoping for nothing less than onwards and upwards for Camp Cope so if you don't know, get to know.
Here's the very different album that took the number 27 spot last year.
I came across Camp Cope earlier this year after they had provided Falls Festival in Australia with some critique about their less-than-diverse line-up. An issue that we definitely still see a lot of worldwide today, however the lack of male/female diversity was particularly stark on this line-up. Seeing their take on it, I agreed and eventually had a listen to some of their music. Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich's galloping bassline on "The Opener" caught my attention straight away and lead singer Georgia Maq's hilariously sarcastic lyrics and very distinctive vocals cemented my interest. I can't even tell you how many times I've returned to this single since - it's up there in my Top 5 opening tracks of the year.
Camp Cope aren't concerned with sounding polished or polite - all the kinds of things that people associate with trying to socialise and make friends - Camp Cope push these to the side in favour of telling hard truths and not compromising themselves for anybody's comfort. The brutal honesty and expressively simple instrumentals all serve to bring clear moments of catharsis and emotion before the album's heartfelt closer "I've Got You" (written about the passing of Georgia's father). In a lot of ways this album feels like a debut record for the trio, and not just because it's the first album of theirs that I'd heard, but because it gives a real candid look into the lives and experiences of the group both individually and as one.
My favourite singles at the moment are "The Opener", "The Face of God", "Sagan-Indiana", and "UFO Lighter". The way in which Georgia almost talk-sings the lyrics at points easily brings the listener into the conversation of her mind. In an age where lyrics can often get lost behind splashy production and animated instrumentals, it's the first time in a while I've been able to listen and resonate with this many lyrics on first listen alone. I'm hoping for nothing less than onwards and upwards for Camp Cope so if you don't know, get to know.
Here's the very different album that took the number 27 spot last year.
