This debut record, Hoping as a Coping Mechanism by Bristol’s finest noise-makers MOULD, is an absolute triumph of visceral British punk energy that hits like a freight train in the best way possible. From the very first needle drop, the band delivers a glorious barrage of barbed hooks, punchy rhythms, and razor-sharp lyricism that completely grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. Honestly, this album rules so hard that I simply cannot get enough of it, and it has been on absolute heavy rotation without a single second of regret.
The songwriting across the entire project is remarkably focused, but three specific tracks stood out as complete bangers that showcase their brilliant range upon my first listen. The lead single “Float” turns the absolute hellscape of endless doom-scrolling into an insanely infectious jam that sounds like Interpol on a wild post-punk bender. Meanwhile, “Emotive Language” morphs through dizzying time-signature shifts while delivering the very line that gives the record its name, making for an unpredictable and explosive listen. To round out the standout trio, “Misanthrope” kicks things off with pure, unadulterated urgency that perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album’s glorious noise.
What makes Hoping as a Coping Mechanism such an incredible companion is that it provides the exact kind of loud, frantic comfort you need when life hands you ridiculous curveballs. For instance, when coming home from the bar the other night, last week, I decided to just air-fry some fries to snack on, and on my second handful of fries I heard a crunch, and it was my fucking tooth! The good news was that it didn’t hurt; the bad news was I swallowed it with the fries, which is a bizarre mid-snack tragedy that requires a truly legendary piece of music to recover from. Check out the links below and give this album a spin. Already have this one my playlist I listen to when driving to and from work, along with some other killer bands like SPRINTS and Yard Act.
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/moulditsmould/
https://mould.tmstor.es/
https://moulditsmould.bandcamp.com/