Joss Cope - Indefinite Particles
by Steve Kinrade
published: 17 / 3 / 2020

Label:
Gare du Nord
Format: CD
intro
Compelling post-punk psychedelia from Liverpudlian singer-songwriter and Julian's brother, Joss Cope
There is an old saying that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and this came quickly to mind when listening to Joss Cope’s follow up album to 2017’s 'Unrequited Lullabies'. For it isn’t hard to recognise the similarity with the voice of Saint Julian, as well as other common themes of inflection and tone. The older brother can cast a large and looming shadow, which is sometimes a struggle to break free from. Isn’t it, Liam? Joss Cope, however actually makes a rather good fist of it. 'Indefinite Particles' is purportedly the middle of a planned release of three, and deals with the usual suspect themes of climate change, death and lost love. Apparently, this collection of songs were wrangled into shape in a Helsinki room, “without a click track in sight” and it audibly shows. The album has an organic feel to it and flows beautifully, easing you gently into Cope’s world of post-punk pyschedelia. There are stand-out tracks a plenty. 'Lifeboat Service' is gently beautiful, comprising of a lilting piano refrain and Cope’s most endearing lyric and vocal. Mastefully produced, it strikes straight to the heart in a wistful and poignant manner. 'Hit the Wall' has an early Pink Floyd meets the Canterbury Scene of the late Sixties; 'Healed' is an infectious stomper, whilst 'Hill' brings the album to a satisfactory conclusion. The comparisons to his higher profile brother are always going to be there, but this collection of compositions shows that Joss Cope has the singular talent to deserve his own place in the creative limelight. Listening to Indefinite Particles is like meeting somebody new who you have so much in common with. The joy is in the familiarity.
Track Listing:-
1 Indefinite Particles2 From a Great Height
3 Healed
4 Who Are You Trying to Kid?
5 She's Going to Change Your World
6 Lifeboat Service
7 Radium Came
8 Hit the Wall
9 True Nature
10 Mad King Ludwig
11 Hill
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/joss.copesoundcloud
reviews |
Unrequited Lullabies (2017) |
![]() |
Excellent 1960's and psychedelic-influenced debut solo album from Julian Cope's brother Joss Cope |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Loft - Interview
Vapors - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart