SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: COIN – I’M NOT AFRAID OF MUSIC ANYMORE

COIN
I’M NOT AFRAID OF MUSIC ANYMORE
10K PROJECTS

Confidence is often referred to as a facade, and COIN’s newest album, I’m Not Afraid Of Music Anymore, hints at the vulnerability of the songs in this collection and how there is strength to be found in putting one’s guard down. Each song is chiseled from a lump of ideas into the artwork that exists beneath it, making for raw pieces that feel true to themselves and to the band’s style of music.

Certainty in oneself or in one’s work comes from being able to accept what once was, yet it also comes from being willing to strive toward something, even if there is uncertainty. In COIN’s case, this album strives to share their musical stories through various sounds and speeds. This story is partially a nostalgic one, drawing from the band’s past creations through their new material. Most notably, “Slack” brings similar energy that resembles that of past songs of theirs, such as “Crash My Car”, to the forefront. Even if it takes longer than one would hope to reach this level of intimacy in the album, these slower fresher songs mirror the creativity that COIN has already established for themselves.

I’m Not Afraid Of Music Anymore also creates potential for new or future stories to be told by appealing to newer audiences with familiar tunes and tempos. The band showcases their flexibility to move within their genre by showcasing a large range of sound, voice, and emotion. Moving away from the steady beats and soft lyrics previously discussed, this album is easily capable of turning around on a dime with songs like “Problem” (where the guitar’s strumming in the introduction can’t not be compared to Olivia Rodrigo’s song “brutal”) and “Blueberry Smoothie” (where the drummer’s smooth tempo brings back memories of Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold”). These similarities steal only a little from the band’s unique sound by replicating rhythms easily found on the radio. However, these qualities are so miniscule they add to the album’s flavour and story rather than overwhelm it in the grand scheme of things.

Being able to bounce between mellow and lighthearted melodies makes for a fun collection of songs that never brings out feelings of boredom from the listener. Drawing on their past music and finding inspiration through current creators, I’m Not Afraid Of Music Anymore is an anthology of COIN’s story, presented to the world through innovative tracks that get to the heart of what has to be said in an authentic manner. Finding confidence in what they have already accomplished and in what lies ahead (of things both joyous and frightening), this album is a true page-turner with no definitive ending in sight.

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