If I see “shoegaze” on our list of albums for review, I usually put my name down without even knowing the band or listening to any singles.  I am always willing to take a chance on some dreamy haziness and COLD GAWD did not disappoint as they blew me away immediately upon the first few seconds of listening to I’ll Drown On This Earth.  This is the SoCal band’s sophomore album and they did not hold anything back.  Principal songwriter Matthew Wainwright describes it as “go for it” mode and it is easy to see why.  The energy and overall feel of the album is incredible and every single track is a hit.

The majority of the songs on this release were written in 2022 while recording sessions began early this year.  COLD GAWD took that time in between to polish and perfect each component, resulting in a surreal dream of distortion, light and airy vocals, walls of noise, crashing drums, and captivating melodies.  Lyrics came last, written just a week prior to recording sessions and while poetic and adding to the overall experience of I’ll Drown On This Earth, it is clear that the main focus was put on the compositions.  Each track is dynamic and interesting.  There are longer instrumental moments where the band shines and shows a variety of influences including doom and post-hardcore.  This is especially present in one of my favorite tracks, “Duncham Is My Lawyer,” where the vocals end about halfway through the song and the melody takes over before a pick scrape marks a change and a heavier doomy instrumental outro ensues.

I’ll Drown On This Earth kicks off the energy immediately, opening with a cathartic scream before riffs and cymbal heavy drumming crash to life.  The first five songs carry a similar vibe while still remaining distinct.  There is an ebb and flow to each track but two of the final tracks slow down and give less crashing tones and riffs, allowing the vocals to ring out even more.  “Tappan” and “Nudism” are literally stripped down with swirling reverberating vocals and tones, synths, and even a piano solo.  Everything is pieced back together for the final song, “Bird in Space,” which may be the most sonic of the eight creating a wide soaring soundscape and bringing the song title to life.

COLD GAWD created something special with I’ll Drown On This Earth and it has quickly become one of my favorite albums of 2024 thus far.  With each listen I discover something new to appreciate and it keeps pulling me in deeper.  While there are moments of melancholy,  it is overall uplifting and groovy and the heavier moments just make it that much more interesting.  COLD GAWD kicked off a California/Western US focused tour in July with dates booked into November and are playing with some stellar bands like Soft Kill and Gouge Away.  I am eager to watch their journey and see what they create next as I believe they found their stride here and will continue to have success in “go for it” mode.

— Angela

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I’ll Drown On This Earth is available now via Dais Records.  For more information on COLD GAWD, visit their Instagram page.