Bobtail Yearlings’ release, Willy the Cocoa, is quaint enough to make Neutral Milk Hotel sound straightlaced and Nick Cave unimaginative.
The baroque indie folk-pop single tells a tragic story by using stark lyricism to paint a portrait of societal anxiety through whimsical observations and the insinuations of lament at the duality between the lives of the privileged and disadvantaged.
Despite the sombre scribing of the death of a mentally disabled man, in its essence, Willy the Cocoa is an uplifting single that won’t fail to leave you mesmerised with the artist’s quintessential charm.
The honkytonk track may not be everyone’s taste, but anyone with an infinity for avant-garde will find that their intrigue pays off this time around.
You can check out the audio webcomic that accompanies Willy the Cocoa for yourselves here.
Review by Amelia Vandergast