Cola: Cost of Living Adjustment

"From the moment that opener "Forced Position" kicks in, you can tell something has changed. Cartwright's anxious rhythm plays two beats faster than everyone else; Stidworthy's rumbling basslines pull the song forward and cement its tension; a mesh of distortion and reverb coats Darcy's guitar, letting it shimmer and blister simultaneously. It's startling to hear Cola so energized, and the band carries that momentum through the whole album."

"There's a newfound confidence to sprawl out in unexpected, noisy ways. "Hedgesitting" opens with a slowed-down drum break before launching into some of the heaviest and catchiest riffs Cola have ever written, as Darcy knicks Kim Gordon's delivery on "Teenage Riot" for the chorus. "Third Double" is the closest the band has come to shoegaze, the fuzz of its outro threatening to engulf the whole song."

"Even quieter touches like the minor-key mandolin plucking that hoovers throughout "Fainting Spells" lend depth to the track, giving the music an eerie and off-balance feel. This musical complexity serves as a counterpoint to the hellish stasis of the modern world they describe."

Cola's third album, Cost of Living Adjustment, marks a significant shift toward maximalism and sonic experimentation for the Montreal trio. Building on the post-punk skeleton that defines their sound, the band introduces newfound confidence in sprawling arrangements and noisy textures. Drummer Evan Cartwright's anxious rhythms, Ben Stidworthy's rumbling basslines, and Tim Darcy's shimmering, distorted guitars create energized performances throughout. Tracks like "Hedgesitting" showcase heavy, catchy riffs reminiscent of Kim Gordon's work, while "Third Double" ventures into shoegaze territory. Even quieter moments, such as the minor-key mandolin in "Fainting Spells," add depth and eerie complexity. This musical sophistication contrasts with lyrical themes exploring modern economic stasis and inflation.

Read at Pitchfork