Manchester’s Cold Comforts are a busy bunch. In four years they have already released a debut album and completed two tours – and an EP is on its way too.
You’d think they’ve earned a break, but they’re opposition to being idle was made evident upon the announcement that they’ll be launching a record label to facilitate ‘new and exciting creative/artistic projects.
As if this weren’t enough, the productive streak continues further with the band’s new single ‘Spotlight’, a narrative telling of an individual who is plagued by the jealousy they feel towards a successful contemporary in a Salieri versus Mozart type dispute.
It’s certainly effective. The vocals sound thoroughly and consistently bitter as the protagonist feels superfluous ‘in the shadow of your spotlight.’
Cold Comforts have listed Weezer, Pavement and other ‘90s outfits as their greatest influences. With ‘Spotlight’ they wear these influences proudly. The guitars are blisteringly loud, so much so that the drums are fighting to be heard.
Perhaps most emblematic of those influences, however, is the hypnotically whirring guitars that swamp the song towards its conclusion, an exercise in ear fatigue that is as joyous as it is tiring.
The mix is a seriously dense packing of instruments and textures. It does feel exhausting at times, but in a way that feels excitingly ominous rather than dreary or drab.
Chances are that by the time you’ve finished reading this, Cold Comforts will have started, released or announced another project. But given the quality of this single, this productivity is certainly welcome.
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