Since bursting onto the scene with Bright Green Field, Squid have consistently redefined the contours of British post-punk. With O Monolith, the band honed their experimental approach, layering angular guitar work with moments of unexpected calm. On Cowards, Squid synthesize these earlier impulses with a newfound confidence, crafting an album that is as intellectually ambitious as it is sonically adventurous.
Opening with the sprawling “Crispy Skin,” the record establishes its dark thematic core. Inspired by dystopian narratives—most notably Agustina Bazterrica’s Tender Is The Flesh—the track’s eerie instrumentation and hypnotic bassline set a tone of moral ambivalence. Lead vocalist and drummer Ollie Judge’s delivery underpins the sense of internal conflict that runs throughout the album.
“Building 650” follows with a subtle shift toward guitar textures, strings, and keyboard colors. The inclusion of the Ruisi Quartet and additional vocal textures from collaborators Clarissa Connelly and Tony Njoku signal a deliberate move away from the more frenetic post-punk of earlier releases. This track, alongside “Blood on the Boulders,” which interweaves spoken-word nuances with expansive instrumental passages, illustrates Squid’s desire to bridge raw energy with careful compositional precision.
A notable highlight is the two-part “Fieldworks I” and “Fieldworks II.” Here, the band channels ambient and post-rock sensibilities—evoking comparisons to bands like Slint and the atmospheric passages found on O Monolith—but with an added layer of refined melodicism that speaks to their growth as songwriters. The interplay of subdued electronics, subtle brass inflections, and acoustic and electric guitar parts across these tracks demonstrates the band’s successful experimentation toward a diverse sound.
The latter half of the album, with the funky and mysterious “Showtime!” and the multi-textured closer “Well Met (Fingers Through the Fence),” showcases Squid’s ability to maintain musical direction while also offering moments of fresh sounds. The title track, “Cowards,” itself is a study of understated menace; its deliberate pacing and layered textures invite the listener to engage with the album’s thematic exploration of moral failure and redemption without resorting to overt aggression.
In comparison to their earlier work, Cowards represents a natural progression. The album retains the unpredictable spirit of Squid’s debut while refining their approach to arrangement and production—a shift that is evident in the measured, almost cinematic quality of its compositions. The collaboration with esteemed producers Marta Salogni, Grace Banks, and Dan Carey adds an additional layer of polish, ensuring that each element—from the digital textures to the analog warmth of live instruments—coalesces into a cohesive sound.
Cowards shows how Squid’s dedication to multifaceted soundscapes creates a solid contemporary post-punk and art rock album. It is not only a solid album in its own right but also a clear signal that Squid’s artistic journey is only just beginning. That’s the short of it!
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