Cooper’s 1st EP – A Pop-Punk Love Letter from France (That You Didn’t Know You Needed)
Alright, buckle up, because Cooper’s 1st EP is the kind of record that sneaks up on you like a stray cat in an alley—scrappy, unapologetic, and kinda unforgettable. Released in 2018 under Kicking Records, this French rock gem blends the raw energy of pop-punk with just enough heart to make you wanna scream-sing into your pillow. The whole thing feels like a caffeine-fueled road trip through teenage angst and self-discovery, but hey, who doesn’t love a good emotional rollercoaster?
Now, let’s talk tunes. Out of the eight tracks here, two really stuck with me: “Stuck In The Middle” and “Let The War Begin.” Spoiler alert: they’re not just catchy—they’re sticky.
“Stuck In The Middle” hits hard right off the bat, like that moment when you realize you’ve been talking to yourself in public again. It’s got punchy guitar riffs, drums sharp enough to cut glass (shoutout to Bill Stevenson for mixing magic), and lyrics so relatable it hurts. Lyrically, it’s all about feeling trapped between expectations and reality—a universal vibe if there ever was one. By the second chorus, I found myself air-drumming at my desk while pretending to work. Not embarrassing at all.
Then there’s “Let The War Begin,” which sounds exactly how rebellion should feel—loud, chaotic, and slightly unhinged. This track is basically punk rock’s answer to throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks. The production is tight without losing its edge, thanks to René van der Zee’s recording wizardry and Jason Livermore’s mastering finesse. Plus, the breakdown halfway through? Absolute fire. Like, I almost dropped my coffee mug dramatic-level good.
The rest of the album isn’t slouching either. Tracks like “Walking Out On Love” and “Start Again” bring plenty of hooks and heartfelt moments, proving Cooper knows how to balance sass with sincerity. And props to Eva van der Zee for the artwork—it’s simple yet striking, much like the music itself.
What makes 1st EP stand out is its authenticity. There’s no pretense here; it’s just Cooper doing Cooper, pouring his soul into every note and lyric. Sure, some parts might sound rough around the edges, but honestly? That’s part of the charm. It’s refreshing to hear something so genuine in an era where everything feels filtered and polished to death.
In the end, listening to this EP feels like finding an old mixtape in the backseat of a borrowed car. You don’t know where it came from, but damn if it doesn’t remind you why you fell in love with music in the first place. So grab your headphones, crank up the volume, and let Cooper take you on a wild ride. Just maybe warn your neighbors first—they’ll thank you later. Or call the cops. Either way, worth it.
