Will Joseph Cook’s newly released LP gives us an indie-pop album that is full of things to feel good about despite the year we’ve had…
But it’s not an album of pure escapism. Cook masterfully blends overwhelmingly catchy songs, with moments of introspective thoughtfulness. The album flows incredibly well in the face of two conflicting feelings.
In fact, the album feels like one in two halves (and not just because it was released in that way on streaming platforms). The first half is filled with unrestrained joy. Album opener Be Around Me is the very definition of an earworm. You listen to it once and you’re hooked. The whole song is a conversation between two enamoured people, with both characters played by Cook himself, utilising his ability to jump between falsetto and chest voice effortlessly. Take that with the top-tapping instrumental it’s set to, and you’ve got yourself a hit, and nothing proves that more than the fact that it’s already a viral sound on Tik Tok. Title track Something to Feel Good About feels like it’s been dipped in sunshine. You close your eyes and suddenly it’s summer again. It’s hard to not feel optimistic about the good times that are ahead while listening to it.
Comparatively, the second half of the album sees Cook look within himself. It’s the part of the album that makes it clear Cook has grown as a songwriter but is still very much trying to figure things out, and there’s no point hiding that. Downdowndown!, my personal highlight of the album, is an ode to a broken heart in a relationship that both parties keep coming back to. The second verse is probably my favourite part of the whole album. Cook suddenly breaks from his soft, lowly sung musing to brazenly and emotively putting out how stuck he feels in the relationship. The song breaks your heart to listen to but is so catchy that you can’t help yourself but listen to it over and over.
The real kicker of the album is 21. On this track, Cook reveals the difficult feelings he’s experienced. “I dunno anyone who’s 21 and knows how to feel” is probably the most heartbreaking line of the whole album, but it’s also incredibly hard not to relate to the song. It’s an honest and truthful account of being a young adult.
Something to Feel Good About provides listeners with astronomically fun songs to blast, but the album feels grounded firmly in reality thanks to Cook’s willingness to open himself up and talk about dealing with difficult situations. It’s highly recommended listening.
Rating: 8/10
By Robbie Nichols
Feature Image Credit: Bad Hotel