The BBC Sound of 2010 poll runners up and Mercury Music Award-nominated indie pop band Everything Everything have made a triumphant return with their new single ‘Cough Cough’. Premiered by Huw Stephens on Zane Lowe’s evening show on BBC Radio 1, the single marks the beginning of the band’s second album campaign. Following on from 2010’s Man Alive, their sophomore record Arc is due to be released 0n January 14th 2013.
From the beginning, ‘Cough Cough’ is jumpy and quirky, from it’s quick-fire question-and-answering to the speed and distinctiveness that lead singer Jonathan Higgs sings with. Paired with marching band-style percussion, there are explosions of harmonising backing vocals and panicky bass which make this an exciting listen from start to finish. The chorus is thoroughly subdued in comparison to the energetic verses as the percussion mellows to prevent the listener from a climax of musical frenzy, but seconds later another verse is catapulted in to build the electricity once more. This is probably the most maximalist music you’ll ever listen to.
Everything Everything have more than delivered with this new single, which shows more maturity than Man Alive, but still explores the innovative sound which was delivered with it. ‘Cough Cough’ will be released on October 14th, and you can also catch the band on a string of live dates in September.
8/10
