Crossroads, Unrelenting Honesty And Untidy Lines
There probably aren't too many artists who can list Netflix as an influence to their sound as honestly as Rachel Maria Cox. The five piece power pop band out of Newcastle write music that would align perfectly with the emotional highs and lows of a high quality romcom. Raw, unguarded and equally epic, Untidy Lines, is a remarkable debut LP from one of the Australian music industry's brightest lights.
It's been a massive couple of years for Rachel Maria Cox with debut EP I Just Have A Lot Of Feelings and a couple of national tours pricking ears up across the country, a successful crowd funding campaign to ultimately bring us Untidy Lines, lead single Emotionally Untidy nabbing them a Triple J Unearthed comp win and an album premiere through none other than Rolling Stone. It's been big and hard to fathom even from the perspective of a fan little own the band themselves. It's also success that couldn't be coming the way of a more deserving, stunningly honest songwriter in Rachel Maria Cox.
Musically Rachel Maria Cox sits somewhere between Suzi Quatro and Britney Spears; a glorious and completely unforgiving crossroads of classic rock and pop diva sensibility hung off the accent of someone who lives in Newcastle... And it just works, it works so well.
The true strength of Untidy Lines however comes from it's complete lack of hiding places. Rachel Maria Cox leaves nothing to the imagination with what these songs are about; each hitting like a brick or embracing you like a warm hug. There is an immense bravery in not only writing such breathtakingly beautiful sad songs but selflessly pure love songs that needs to be commended as a truly remarkable feat.
Highlights come through in moments of utter and undeniable relatability throughout the album. For me landing on intro track and stupidly adorable new love song If I'm Smiling (It's Because I'm Thinking About Zac Efron) and Misery Kink an emotional millstone of a song that pulls you into a misdirected love.
Buy this album then go someplace to really listen to it. It will stay with you.
Follow Rachel Maria Cox:
https://www.facebook.com/RachelMariaCox/
