SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE COCKTAILS – TRIANGLE

THE COCKTAILS
TRIANGLE
INDEPENDENT

Hailing from Niagara Falls, Ontario, The Cocktails have returned with their third full-length album since 2021. Triangle sees the band deliver their most nuanced and inspired work to date, making for a truly exciting musical experience.

Triangle opens with the pair of singles the band released in 2023 leading up to the album. “Temper Temper” is an all-out sonic assault driven by ripping guitars and a massive rhythm section. In contrast with the punk energy of the song, the chorus is accented by lush vocal harmonies that elevate the melody. Similarly, “Feast Your Eyes” is another hard-hitter that makes use of rhythmic stops throughout both the verse and chorus along with effective harmonies.  Both tracks feel familiar to the band’s previous records, however it seems to act as a bridge between then and now.

As the rest of the record rolls forward, it is clear that Triangle is less influenced by ‘90s punk rock than their previous albums and introduces a much more apparent alternative rock tone. “Your Love My Drug” feels nostalgic for Red Hot Chili Peppers circa Mother’s Milk and I Mother Earth, while the crunchy power chords of “So Long Thanks For Evading” feels greatly inspired by that of Josh Homme. Through expanding their sound, Triangle is the most versatile collection of music to arrive from The Cocktails so far. Additionally, the relentless “Get Off My Back”, the slow burning and arresting “Across The Pillow”, and the climatic “Fear Of Heights” all make Triangle a strong album.

The Cocktails continue to run at an impressive clip, with each release building upon the previous one. From both a performance and a songwriting perspective, Triangle marks a massive step forward for the band that sees them depart from their strictly punk roots, and indulge in an array of alternative influences. Furthermore, the record feels incredibly well produced, introducing a greater level of depth to the band and their music. For fans of Green Day and Queens Of The Stone Age, Triangle is a refreshing take on both punk and the alternative rock genre.

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