Nashville – With their latest self-titled release (via Burger Records), Cotillon once again shines with an ethereal follow up to their breezy 2013 White Roses EP. Led by the visionary singer-songwriter Jordan Corso, and known for their warm, floral sound that evokes the glory days of California surf pop, it seems that the band is best at translating summer sunshine into music. However, while Cotillon—in some ways—travels along the same sunny trajectory, it also simultaneously represents a clear departure from their first release.
For one thing, the band’s sound has matured since White Roses, which perfectly captured the intersection of freedom and youth. Now, with their newer work, the dreamy guitars have since grown to be even more delicate, and the beats have deepened into more meaningful rhythms. This isn’t to say that Cotillon isn’t just as sun-kissed as its predecessor, or that the album completely eschews that youthful tint that makes their music so enjoyable. To put it simply, it seems that the direction they’re traveling in is a good one, as it shows how much a sound can evolve and grow while still maintaining all of the best elements from its roots.
In “Call Me Up,” the album’s second track, Corso’s work reflects a more soulful influence. Still plucky and still perfectly upbeat, everything here represents the next logical step for Cotillon’s sound. The guitars and vocals point back to their older tracks, while new instrumental elements push everything into a new and more tentative place. In this song, it’s the horns that really do all the heavy lifting, providing the perfect complement to the vocals and guitar.
However, absolutely nothing about Cotillon is heavy-handed. “Exempt” is not only the perfect track to tie up the album, but it’s also an achievement in simplicity. Reminiscent of the trance-like but insistent cadence of Wilco and other similar alt-rock sounds, the album’s last song proves to be the barest and the most honest cut. It’s shamelessly vulnerable and tender, while the previous tracks seem to only graze this raw place. In what feels like a totally genius move, the song ends abruptly, leaving the album curiously and wonderfully open-ended.
Not to be overshadowed, the vocals stand out as beautifully pure in each of the album’s 12 songs, acting as the emulsifier. With all of the disparate components that make up Cotillon, the lyrics play an essential role in really tying everything together. Consistent, significant, and crystal clear, Corso’s notes elevate an already polished set of songs to a more sophisticated place.
For Cotillon, it’s not all sunny skies this time—there’s an apparent darker element at play here, but it’s restrained enough to achieve the perfect depth. With a simmering angst that pulses just beneath a more cheerful veneer, Cotillon represents a fully realized and multi-faceted collection of sounds and feelings. While the direction here is different in all the right ways from their older collection, it’s apparent that Cotillon is working with a clear, harmonious vision. We can’t wait to see where they’ll go next.
Cotillon is out now in digital format and cassette tape. Find out what’s next for Los Angeles-based Cotillon via Facebook. (Ed., for a look back at a 2013 performance, click HERE.)
Amaryllis Lyle
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