Westside Cowboy is a name with growing credibility, since starting out just one year ago they have exploded into prominence into the UK’s indie scene with a series of stand out singles.
Already, the quartet have had a massive five months, winning Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition, playing on the Woodsies Stage, working with Mercury Prize winning Lewis Whiting (English Teacher), getting interviewed on the NME Radar, and most recently scheduling dates across the pond with upcoming gigs in New York and L.A.
Their brand-new debut EP This Better Be Something Great continues with this success, demonstrating the band’s illusively dubbed Britanicana with assured self-confidence. A mix of classic indie rock and American folk and country, Westside Cowboy know what they are, or at least what they aspire to create – timeless music without the pretentious trappings of modern alternative rock.
I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)
The song that began it all and still by far their most broadly successful, ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)’ is a power ballad of sorts that grips you by the shoulders with its eponymous bellow of ‘WESTSIDE COWBOY’ and tinny screaming guitars. This first track already feels like a classic of the band’s eager early years, in so far as it encompasses their output. Loud, folk-rock statements of colossal emotional bulk that continue to demonstrate enormous natural talent.
The track reaches its apex a minute in, with a second screeching climax. Like a gunshot, Paddy Murphy’s percussion lets loose the harmonic yearnings of the three vocalists. Aoife O’Connell in particular, lending the song a much-needed mellowness.
Alright Alright Alright
Abruptly raging out of left-field ‘Alright Alright Alright’ follows on; a driving rockabilly punk song that starts as it means to go on. A solid two minutes of thumping, exhaustive drums that threaten to run out at any moment. Under this kind of tension, a song can either burnt out or thrive – by pure concerted effort and momentum this track gladly does the latter.
Drunk Surfer
Proceeding with the final of the singles released in the build up to this EP, ‘Drunk Surfer’ is another hit in this record of impressively consistent quality. Opening with an O’Connell baseline that gestures to mid-nineties grunge, the band dips into its influences whilst maintaining the beating heart of individuality that is core to their growing appeal.
Amidst the buzzing cacophony of scratchy guitars, Haycock’s vocals are delivered almost choked, sang with a raw intensity that sets out ‘Drunk Surfer’ as a moment of special potency. Not an easy achievement on a debut such as this.
…Shells
The first line uttering the title of the EP, ‘…Shells’ is a rest from the brake neck speeds of the previous three tracks. Instead, characterised by a more gentle, cautious disposition, the penultimate song is a breath of melancholy calm with slowly strummed acoustic guitars and lyrics with an introspective tone.
However, Westside Cowboy cannot forever resist their instincts, and as such ‘…Shells’ evolves, bursting into life, amp feedback and all, to round off the most beautiful of the EP’s selection with cathartic feeling.
Slowly I’m Sure
The only track not released as a single, ‘Slowly I’m Sure’ is a brief and pleasant end to an outstanding debut release. Whilst lyrically slightly cliché and certainly the least engrossing of the EP, it is an endearing love song that, if nothing else, reaffirms the band’s versatility. There are some lovely lines, ‘does the chair in your parlour creek when there’s no one around’ being one such example of the kind of wistful poesy that vaguely piques your interest. Once again, the two lead vocalists’ harmonies are nice on this track, especially when matched with the more sombre tone.
However, this is the weakest example of what Westside Cowboy can do. Perhaps a harsh judgement on a record of such quality. Nonetheless, I hope to hear more of them ASAP and would encourage anyone to mark them for even greater things in the future.
Westside Cowboy Socials: Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp
Upcoming Tour Dates:
August 23rd – Westquay, Southhampton
August 24th – All Points East Festival, London
September 4th – New Century, Manchester
September 7th – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
September 8th – Electric Bristol, Bristol
September 10th – Chalk, Brighton
September 11th – Electric Brixton, London
September 12th – Electric Brixton, London
September 27th – Various Venues, Sheffield
Review by Evan Meikle – Instagram | Muckrack
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