Album Review: Little Comets - The Gentle EP

Going from playing gigs in the aisle of their local supermarket to routinely selling out some of the countries most prestigious venues is nothing short of a miracle, but also a wake up call to those who still aren't making geordie boys Little Comets part of their habitual listening. Imagine you're sitting in a room with some of your closest mates, everybody's had a couple of cans of newky brown and suddenly everything your half cut friends are saying about politics, gender and the world is revolutionary. That's what listening to Little Comets is like. But they're sober. And they haven't just passed out and puked up their curry.

Right off the bat, I'm gonna say that latest release "The Gentle EP" is everything you expect it to be. It's musically flawless, witty, compelling, thought provoking and above all, completely accessible to old fans and new. 'Little Italy' kicks things off and is by most people's consideration, the most "poppy" track (whatever that means.)  A repetitive guitar loops over and over behind what singer Robert Coles describes as a percussive and raspy lead vocal before bursting into the choral hook. This is what I mean when I call it accessible. You're tapping your foot and nodding your head, all the while soaking up a vast and expansive story. I often think of comparing Little Comets to Los Campesinos! for their intensely lyrical, poetical style, and it's a comparison I use with the utmost respect for both bands.

It's with second track 'The Blur, The Line and the Thickest Of Onions' that we really get into the meat of what Little Comets are all about. It's ironic that jumping from 'Little Italy' to this track is like exposing different layers of an onion. They're a bit like Shrek when you think about it, Ogres have layers, Little Comets have layers.

Rob, Mickey and Matt become sort of self aware here and not pretentiously either, which I think is key to understanding the song. It's a dig at the music industry and particularly what they describe as the "abusive body image as a form of control, and the typical portrayal of the feminine role". Fair enough they're not the only artist out there calling out this kind of degrading and abhorrent practice (Lilly Allen famously trod a similar line in 'Hard Out Here') but it's the sheer honesty and mastery of the English language to convey the point that impresses me.

'Coalition Of One' is potentially my favourite track on The Gentle EP. I featured it in a song post a while back so I won't go into massive amounts of detail (read it here if you like), but I will say that living in the UK and being at the mercy of a corrupt and crumbling democratic system, this track makes all kinds of sense to me. I implore anybody who feels overlooked or let down by their governments actions to listen to this song.

Closing track 'Early Retirement' is perhaps their most bitter and melancholic track on offer. Rob Coles takes the platform, accompanied only by a piano for the duration. This is Little Comets at their most honest, most vulnerable and most beautiful. Having repeatedly proven themselves wise beyond their years, the line that gets me here is, "I'm worn down by it all, I'm worn down by it all, take my innocent relief, take my shattered inner peace, I'm worn down".

The Gentle EP shows a maturity and depth to Little Comets that will likely only grow with age. Coming from tracks like 'Dancing Song', through 'Violence Out Tonight' and ending up at 'Coalition Of One' is nothing short of hugely impressive. I will always be a fan of Little Comets material, past and present, but it's their future that intrigues me the most. If you like your music wordy, layered and unceasingly remarkable, stick with them and you'll fail to be disappointed.

I'll just leave my favourite Little Comets video here for your viewing pleasure. A live acoustic rendition of 'Woman Woman'