COYOL are yet another example of how in 2004 there was a turning point in indie music with the release of Arcade Fire‘s ‘Funeral‘ album. That album skillfully combines traditional American folk music with the archetypical New York City indie rhythm section and the melodies of the big arena rock bands. Since then thousands of bands have tried to follow that blueprint to mixed results.
Some have taken the lead into some projects worth noting such as the excellent Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros who push the use of dual vocals in addition to adding a country and western twang and a greater use of wind instruments in the orchestration of their tracks.
COYOL in theory might be the natural evolution of this trend. The couple’s country ballad voices evoke those of Johnny Cash and June Carter and rhythm section arrangements are more concise than the band above. The lyrics are personal and engaging such as the brilliant ‘Pharmacist‘; which deals with modern society’s troubles and the anxiety disorders suffered by singer John Isaac Watters. Together with Céleigh Champan, they offer a passionate delivery that betrays both their old Southwest and new Los Angeles roots.
Having recorded their self-titled EP in late 2010 COYOL will unveil each of the EP’s six tracks individually, culminating in the full release on September 6, 2011. With unique art produced for each song, this is a journey worth pursuing and hopefully, they can continue finding their “voice” on their first full LP.
