The Tubs' Cotton Crown turns jangle pop into something sharper and less comfortable, with bright hooks set against Owen “O” Williams’ bleakly funny writing. George Nicholls moves from Marr-like guitar sparkle to driving folk-rock figures and glossy, chorus-heavy parts, while Taylor Stewart and Max Warren push the songs along with tight power-pop force. Chain Reaction leans into soulful pub rock, One More Day comes close to Husker Du’s full-speed attack, and Narcissist finds a more polished, melancholy pop mood. The songs are catchy enough to whistle, then leave a bad taste behind.
Williams writes about love turning strange, difficult behaviour, and the indignities of making music in London. Closing track Strange looks at the awkward, sometimes darkly comic aftermath of his mother’s suicide without trying to turn grief into a grand statement. That gives the album more weight than its quick tempos and singalong choruses might suggest. Recorded at Headcold Studios and Sam & Rachel’s Studio, mixed by Sam & Rachel, and mastered by Mikey Young, it comes out of London’s Gob Nation network, with backing vocals from Lan McCardle on several tracks. Fans of indie rock, power pop, jangle, and a little emotional damage should find plenty here, though the candour can be hard to sit with.
