Albums to watch

Cowards

Squid

Cowards

Third full-length album from the Brighton post-punk band produced by Marta Salogni and Grace Banks

ADM rating[?]

8.2

Label
Warp
UK Release date
07/02/2025
US Release date
07/02/2025
  1. 10.0 |   The Skinny

    Squid graduate the post-punk revival with an exceptional record, proving them more than worthy of recognition as Britain's new rock innovators
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  2. 10.0 |   Northern Transmissions

    The grandiose finale of this album is the groundbreaking track Well Met ( Fingers Through The Fence), which is more textured and chaotically nuanced than you could ever imagine
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  3. 9.0 |   Under The Radar

    They could have phoned it in. Released an album full of “Houseplants,” “The Dial,” or “The Cleaner” type songs. But where is the fun in that? Instead, they’ve pushed themselves to release something daring instead. No cowards here. Only bangers!
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  4. 9.0 |   DIY

    Their most complete manifestation yet
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  5. 9.0 |   Exclaim

    On Cowards, Squid reveal themselves as possibly the most forward-thinking and artistic band of the new post-punk explosion. It's not an easy ride, but few of the best things are. The tentacles are calling; be brave, open your eyes, and dive into the inky darkness
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  6. 8.5 |   Spectrum Culture

    On their third effort, Squid call out their own cowardice with nine stories of evil. It feels disturbingly personal
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  7. 8.2 |   Paste Magazine

    Cowards is the ideal album that a band in Squid’s position would put out: one that builds on the ideas that defined in their first two albums, but doesn’t stay comfortable in what they know best
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  8. 8.0 |   NME

    Their third studio album is a collection of vignettes about cult leaders, sociopaths and cannibals
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  9. 8.0 |   All Music

    Squid are still in the early part of their career, but with each record, they've shown a remarkable adaptability and willingness to change, without losing what makes them special
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  10. 8.0 |   Uncut

    An album that is as imaginative as it is innovative. Print edition only

  11. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Cowards is all killer, both musically and thematically. Print edition only

  12. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    A testament to artistic ambition, the five-piece’s experimental third effort reveals more of itself with each enchanting listen
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  13. 8.0 |   Far Out

    An endlessly inventive exploration of morality and ideas of evil, with songs touching on subjects like the Manson Family murders, among similarly morbid fascinations
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  14. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Like a horror film, Cowards is a lesson in restraint. It builds dread with slight but sudden stabs, scrapes, and bubbling bass, and rarely gives you the pleasure of a cathartic release. It’s a long way from the funky chaos of “Houseplants”, and it’s all the more interesting for it
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  15. 7.6 |   Pitchfork

    Building on the sociopolitical themes of previous LPs, the UK post-punks’ latest frames even heavier subject matter—the nature of evil itself—in darkly dazzling songs at once ominous and luxurious
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  16. 6.0 |   The Arts Desk

    It's intricate, ambitious music that your next-door-neighbour would undoubtedly label 'difficult'
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