4pricot
Self-Released, 2022
9/10
A math rock outfit from Seoul, South Korea, Cotoba features Dafne (guitars, production), DyoN Joo (vocals, guitar), SEI (bass) and Minsuh (drums) for this powerful and rhythmic affair.
“Free Will” opens with a radiant guitar tone, as the crisp drumming illuminates a very bright, math-rock focused climate that showcases the dreamy singing, and “Kyrie” follows with the fluid bass lines making an impression amid the precise musicianship that even hints at jazz.
In the middle, the instrumental “Things We Are Looking For” emits some prog-rock nods in its careful texturing, while “Warm Salad” is a bit more furious, and touches on post-punk thanks to its off kilter rhythms.
Near to the end, “Reyn (Onstage Version)” illustrates a very lush demeanor alongside the emotive singing that’s a bit breathy, and “Rescape” exits with thumping drums and bouncy bass lines to populate the intimate finish.
A band who are strikingly intricate, but have plenty of mass appeal, this debut album is exceptional, and should make a global impression.
Travels well with: L&S- When The Vowels Fall; Goodbye, Kings- The Cliché of Falling Leaves