Review | COSM – COSM EP

Label: Krautpop!

By Seth White

Since I arrived in Falmouth just over a year ago, few bands have been quite as striking in their immediate popularity and sheer brilliance as COSM. This is an act I’ve been privileged to see on a handful of occasions and they’ve never disappointed.

They’re one of Falmouth’s hidden musical gems and best kept secrets, but not for much longer. Their new EP is sure to attract them a more broad and adoring audience.

This release is a package deal of COSM’S three respective singles that have come before this (‘Weightless’, ‘Say About Me‘ and ‘Reverberate‘) whilst also gracing us with two new tracks in ‘So I Let Go’ and ‘Warmglow’.

This EP is big for Falmouth and for COSM, those in attendance at the release show at the Cornish Bank can attest to what these songs mean to the local scene, and to have that echoed across the nation on BBC Introducing is something very special.

The sound has been dubbed by as ‘Psych-Shoegaze’, however, I think COSM‘s music has a far more dreamy quality more than anything. The shoegaze influence in the guitar tones and the rhythm section is extremely evident, with their signature slow speed and the glitter and sparkle of the production lending itself to the classic dreamy shoegaze aesthetic.

As of right now, the sound of COSM is a dreamwave shoegazey explosion that promises more great material and has created a brilliant buzz around the group, both in Falmouth and now beyond.

Frontman of the group, Thomas Hunter, has some fantastic vocal moments on this EP. ‘So I Let Go’ offers dynamics ranging from gentle to a full blown bellow and results in being my favourite track off of the whole release. Meanwhile, drummer Zach goes suitably insane from start to finish and guitarist Emily takes the lead on delivering the wavy riffs that give the songs such a dreamy quality.

COSM are a band that hold real promise for big things in the future, so whatever opportunities you may get to catch this band in the South West, I would grab them up so you can have those gatekeeping bragging rights down the line! This EP has been an absolute joy to listen to and will stand the test of time.

If you’ve read this far, stream the EP, go to a COSM show if you can and support the cause. The Cornish music scene is still ever growing, and long may COSM reign.