After an almost unprecedented boom in recent years, post-punk now seems to be in a lull. The breakout success of bands such as Fontaines D.C. and Shame et al has led to copycats springing up left right and centre, resulting in predictable albums and concepts becoming the norm. When the creativity behind a subgenre plateaus in this way, it takes something like Squid’s ‘Cowards’ to remind us how it’s done.
The Brighton band have a proven track record for delivering unique and peculiar compositions, and their third LP is no different in that regard. With offbeat, accented guitars and ominous harmonies weaved throughout, Squid refuse to talk down to their audience, delivering a peculiar and indulgent listening experience.
Building 650 finds them casually pairing a classic indie trope — namely clean, driven guitar melodies — with suave spy movie string arrangements.
They do so in a manner that suggests the blend is commonplace, resulting in an all-encompassing atmosphere that feels unforced.
On the closer Well Met (Fingers Through the Fence) melancholic horns float gracefully over the ramblings of drummer-vocalist Ollie Judge, highlighting the subdued chaos of ‘Cowards’ while drawing attention to one of its major draws: the drummer-vocalist’s existential lyrics.
He masterfully scatters fragments of his identity across the album, trusting the listener to collect and interpret them as they choose. On Crispy Skin he rants: “Am I the bad one? Yep, Yes I am.” Another track, Fieldworks I, offers a partial response with “I’m a God-fearing man,” while the solemn, lonely ambience of the title track paints a picture of an abandoned and isolated character. Anyone hoping to have all their questions tied up neatly in a bow should prepare to be disappointed.
Equally, if you are keen to cherry-pick indie anthems for a playlist, your efforts may be better placed elsewhere. ‘Cowards’ demands to be consumed and considered as a whole, separate from Squid’s previous efforts. It is a far cry from rampant earlier cuts Houseplants and G.S.K., preferring a rich, full-bodied sound that resembles the next step in a band mastering their own ever-evolving genre.
Squid Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Mon February 17 2025 - LIVERPOOL Invisible Wind Factory
Tue February 18 2025 - MANCHESTER O2 Ritz
Wed February 19 2025 - GLASGOW Saint Luke's
Fri February 21 2025 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Northumbria Uni Domain
Sat February 22 2025 - SHEFFIELD Leadmill
Mon February 24 2025 - CAMBRIDGE Junction 1
Tue February 25 2025 - NORWICH Waterfront
Thu February 27 2025 - OXFORD O2 Academy Oxford
Fri February 28 2025 - SOUTHAMPTON EngineRooms Southampton
Sat March 01 2025 - MARGATE Lido
Sun March 02 2025 - BRIGHTON Chalk
Tue March 04 2025 - BIRMINGHAM XOYO
Wed March 05 2025 - BRISTOL Bristol Beacon
Sat April 26 2025 - LONDON Roundhouse
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