Cold Court’s First EP Delivers a Catchy, Genre-Blending Experience

Cold Court is a sibling duo from Philly that thrives on blending a variety of influences into a chaotic mix that echoes the hyperpop vibes you might expect from artists like 100 Gecs. However, unlike tracks such as “Dumbest Girl Alive,” which playfully nod to pop punk and emo, Cold Court takes a more earnest approach, and that’s not a drawback.

The opening track of their debut EP (^_^) / (also known as Hands Up), titled “Nina,” kicks off with a sound reminiscent of the dance-punk bands that made waves in the mid-2000s, like Franz Ferdinand or Test Icicles. But about a minute in, the gritty riff gets sliced and diced through a beat repeater, shifting the vibe. A minute later, a laid-back proggy bridge reminiscent of The Mars Volta emerges, leading to a finale filled with glitches and digital mayhem.

The EP continues in this vein, with songs that clearly began as drum and guitar compositions. Mini and Jojo then took their creations to the digital realm, layering, rearranging, and adding effects. The single “Burn” exemplifies this fusion perfectly, featuring powerful rock riffs, Daft Punk-inspired synths, dubstep elements, autotuned vocals, and even a rapped bridge. Yet, it all comes together cohesively as they declare, “I just want to see it burn, give a fuck about your word.”

While the lyrics may not delve deep, they resonate well within the context.

Though Cold Court embraces a maximalist style, not every track hits the same intensity as “Burn.” “Cola” adopts a slower pace, peeling back some layers while maintaining its energy. “Glass” flirts with math rock as its guitars are manipulated and reassembled, while the EP’s closing track “Light” presents a blown-out, shimmering prog sound.

Over the span of a full album, the unrelenting energy might become overwhelming. However, at just 21 minutes, Hands Up wraps up before it wears out its welcome, leaving us curious about how this young duo will evolve in the future.

Cold Court’s (^_^) / is available on most major streaming platforms, including Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Qobuz, and Deezer.