World Wide Webbs

Cobwebbs seem to be disgruntled about nearly everything, writes MITCHELL JUDGE, and their latest LP of harsh rock and roll offers no resolutions.

[Historical image is withheld pending rights review.] Cobwebbs are from Brisbane, they are young and they are pissed off about almost everything.

From the opening sentence of World Wide Webbs their mission statement is clear, and for the rest of the album they continue yelling their complaints under a constant wave of noise. Their previous releases were filled with dense psychedelic tunes, and although their choice of cover art has transformed from acid-influenced to a more basic, Eddy Current-esque piece, there is no such change in their music. This is an album of dark, harsh rock and roll.

This sinister tone is the most prominent feature, which is matched with a collection of unlikely rock anthems. On ‘Real Life’, a simple synth and drum opening is obliterated by warped, gargling guitars that build to a genuinely rousing chorus. Cobwebbs appearing on a Soundwave lineup seems ludicrous, but it’s not hard to imagine a festival crowd full of angsty teenagers pumping their fists and screaming, “Real life in the real world.”

It is this mature form of angst and frustration that permeates throughout the album: ‘Locals Only’ sees the band initially complain that nothing ever happens in their town before changing their gripe to the fact that “sometimes there’s too much happening on one night.” Sure, they are first-world problems, but they are the problems that clog up Twitter feeds on a nightly basis. In fact, as the release date allows for such a comparison, World Wide Webbs serves as a neat companion piece to Ciggie Witch’s recent Rock and Roll Juice, both portraying twenty-somethings struggling through mundane everyday life. Whereas Ciggie Witch’s lackadaisical delivery can act as a comfort to similarly confused young adults, Cobwebbs have matched their lyrical confusion with a bleak sound that fuels a sense of disillusionment.

Coming in at just 32 minutes, it feels as if the psych drones could have been stretched out, allowing greater opportunity for Cobwebbs to further pull the listener down into the desolate landscape that they create. There are no answers and no resolutions with Cobwebbs. The only hint of optimism is offered on the penultimate track ‘World Wide’ – “You got nothing/That’s always something.”

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‘World Wide Webbs’ is out now on vinyl and digital through Sonic Masala. Cobwebbs are launching the album in Melbourne this weekend; info below.

Fri, Aug 8 – The Tote, Melbourne, VIC [w/The Living Eyes, Stations, School Damage + ORB]
Sat, Aug 9 – The Catfish, Melbourne, VIC [w/Heirophants + Exek]
Sun, Aug 10 – Grace Darling, Melbourne, VIC [w/Black Vacation + Cold Life]