Two years on from their year-end list-worthy debut album Dead Meat, London-based Welsh band The Tubs are back with their sophomore full-lenghter, titled Cotton Crown. We can not leave it unmentioned: the baby on the cover photo is frontman Owen ‘O’ Williams (Ex-Vöid, Joanna Gruesome, Sniffany & The Nits), being nursed in a graveyard by his mother, folk singer Charlotte Greig (it is a promotional picture for the release of her 1998 Night Visiting Songs LP), who committed suicide in 2014—it doesn’t get much more meta than this.
The nine new songs are a bold evolution from the rising indie force: the melodic hooks are even more prominent, captured in a heavier and richer sound, but at the same time the lyrics are darker and more personal (understandable, if you know that they are centered around the aftermath of the death of his mum), reflecting emotional rawness. Goosebumps on closing track Strange: “They ask me what it’s like // If I’m alright // I say it makes me more interesting // Then we laugh // And then it’s all fine.”
Despite the theme, this record does not bring a gloomy mood, on the contrary—after tragedy comes merrymaking, as anyone who has seen The Tubs perform live will attest. The witty wordplay and memorable choruses, bright jangly guitars, and Williams’ distinctive vocals are simply irresistible.
Cotton Crown—recorded by Matt Green—is out now digitally, on cassette, CD and vinyl LP, through Trouble In Mind Records. Featuring Owen ‘O’ Williams (vocals, guitar), George Nicholls (guitar), Max Warren (bass) and Taylor Stewart (drums), with Lan McCardle (amazing backing vocals) on select tracks.