Cosmopaark Explores Modern Shoegaze Avenues with "Backyard" (Howlin' Banana Records / Stellar Frequencies)
Cosmopaark by Mathilde Rey
On Cosmopaark’s “Starve,” the static crunch of the drum machine snaps you into focus. “Good enough to be sad but not to come back / Not enough to feed the belly of your eyes,” laments singer-guitarist Clément Pelofy, his tangled thoughts cloaked by soothing melodies. Thus begins the unfurling narrative of Backyard, Cosmopaark’s new EP – out now via Howlin’ Banana Records and Stellar Frequencies.
The Bordeaux-based trio—Pelofy, drummer Baptiste Sauvion, and bassist Wanda Meha—have climbed the ranks of France’s shoegaze scene, turning heads with their sterling debut album and I can’t breathe enough. But the five new tracks that comprise Backyard have barrelled to the surface, promising a progression from what has just gotten started.
Speaking to the sound of this new record, the band shared:
“This EP is, for us, the logical continuation of our artistic evolution. We continue to explore and search for what makes us vibrate. Still introspective but lighter in subject matter than the previous album, this EP is an ode to resilience. Each track speaks of movement and moving forward—taking one last look back and continuing to advance.”
Indeed, Backyard burns with a refined sense of purpose. “Olive Tree” bears a hypnotic, twinkling quality, while “Hole” oscillates between a laidback indie groove and maximal grunge distorsion. Each story toys with a shifting environment—leaves falling from a tree, feet lifting from the floor—and attempts to make sense of what remains. “It’s so cozy in the dark / No one’s watching, it falls apart / For a moment when you think about it / Take a break and see where it’s going,” Pelofy muses, oddly optimistic on the cinematic “Tiny Shelter.”
Deeply attuned to groups like Slowdive, DIIV, and Alvvays, Cosmopaark are leaning into the future with commanding imagery and meticulous production. Backyard serves as an impressive booster pack to Cosmopaark’s curious sonic character.
Backyard
out October 18, 2024 via Howlin’ Banana Records and Stellar Frequencies
1. Starve
2. Olive Tree
3. Pure Intention
4. Hole
5. Tiny Shelter
Music and lyrics by Cosmopaark
Mix by Johannes Buff
Produced by Pierre Loustaunau
Mastering by Alan Douches
Artwork by buvard
Cosmopaark
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Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.