The Cords The Cords (Baby Blue)

The last few years have been quite a whirlwind for Scottish pop duo The Cords. Sisters Eva and Grace take their cues from forebears like Dolly Mixture, Shop Assistants, Heavenly and Tiger Trap, reinvigorating the C86 sound with style and infectious enthusiasm. Since starting in 2023 they've released a cassette single and a Christmas flexi that garnered airplay and breathless press from around the International Pop Underground, and played with everyone from The Vaselines (their first show!) to Shonen Knife, BMX Bandits, The Go! Team and Camera Obscura. Recorded over the course of six days with Jonny Scott (CHVRCHES), their self-titled debut album is some of the most vital indiepop we've heard in years, bursting with boundless energy, youthful confidence, lively melodies and most importantly terrific tunes. From album opener (and first single) "Fabulist" to the heads-down rush of "October," from the punk-ish thrill of "You" to the instant classic "I'm Not Sad," The Cords have crafted a debut that handily transcends their influences and shows their firm grasp of all that makes great, timeless *pop*. By the time the dreamy slow-dance closer "When You Said Goodbye" rolls around you can't help but have fallen in love with indiepop all over again, and the only thing to do is lift the needle, flip the record, and start it over.