Pulco
– Solid Geometry EP
Vinyl
/ DL
Out
Now
9
/ 10
Welsh musician and artist releases is new EP.
If there is one thing that is predictable about
Pulco (aka Ash Cooke), it is that he is 100% unpredictable.
In only June of last year, the former Derrero
man released the wonderfully poppy and upbeat Rodeo EP to much
critical acclaim, now he turns his attention to a slightly more experimental
and off-the wall sound with the Solid Geometry EP.
Said to have been influence by the book First
Love Last Rites by Ian McEwan, the sound blends Daniel Miller’s The Normal
(Warm Leatherette) with spots of early Cabaret Voltaire and sees Cooke with his
often characteristic spoken meanderings over original soundtracks. Epitomising the D.I.Y. artist his sound is
crisp and honest.
EP opener, Disguises has a repetitive
soundtrack as Cooke adopts a Welsh Mark E Smith stance and recites his unbelievably
incisive words over a pounding drumbeat obviously influenced by early
electronica circa 1978. Sitting round
the fire and mentioning corduroy suits and leather slippers there’s an ominous
feel that only Cooke could create.
The short Butterflies in spite of the potential
beauty that the track indicates, hides a sinister tale of stalking and the
eventual death (murder?) of a red dressed femme fatale. Ending suddenly, it demands a replay to
revisit the narrative and fully appreciate the words within.
With Homemade, the harsh sound is toned down
and a more affectionate sound hides another dark story – “clapping hands and
acting fools, perverts on a stage” - it almost becomes nursery rhyme-like as
the line repeats to the end, but in reality far from it.
The title track closes the EP with its heart
set in the sounds of the early work of John Foxx. A driving beat gels a synth buzz and electro
whirl as the perfect backdrop to Ash’s creativeness. With no real chorus or hook line, it somehow
sounds addictive as a sax solo can be heard in the background whilst the track
closes.
The Solid Geometry EP once more confirms the unquestionable
talent bursting from Pulco’s seams and rubber stamps the approval given to him
by many fellow artists. With a strictly limited
edition vinyl pressing available from Qrates here, the EP is also available via
his Bandcamp page in digital format.
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