★★★☆

Memphis four-piece Nots continue to make off-kilter music with a frenetic energy that moves from unrelenting to unsettling onCosmetic, their second full-length album.

The title track feels reminiscent of Clockcleaner or Pissed Jeans as it lurches along; the band are deranged, wide-eyed and perched at the ready to move from the shadows to attack with feline-like precision.

There is still plenty of melody within the noise on Cosmetic. ‘Inherently Low’ has all the makings of a new-wave number, but a sped-up tempo paired with group vocals and the whole affair being swathed in a mass of sinister sound effects keeps it pointedly un-pop, ensuring that the band maintain their bleak and antagonistic outlook.

Closer ‘Entertain Me’ starts off as a slow, moody burn but quickly escalates into a writhing beast. Natalie Hoffmann sneers with contempt as the synth swirls, the guitars rip and reel in a psychedelic fashion and the bass and drums keep the epic number from completely catapulting off into the ether.

On their second offering Nots has continued to solidify its characteristic sound whilst suitably extending on the band’s brand of weirdo anxiety-driven punk.

Cosmetic byNotsis available now through Goner.

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