Cosmonaut Suits - Things Get Bad [EP]

​Cosmonaut Suits

​Things Get Bad [EP]
self-released; 2016

3.6 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Mark McLaughlin (guitar/vocals), Joe Schade (keyboard/synth), Conor Roney (guitar/sampler), Luke Mottola (bass) and Franklin Neblett (drums) are Cosmonaut Suits. The band from Pennsylvania released a three-song EP entitled Things Get Bad [EP]. The young band which applies to both their age and formation are off to a good start. The recording quality sounds great and the band is showing some potential with this EP.

They starts off with “Manhattan” which is a versatile song which displays their talents. The moment I knew they had something to offer was when the verse comes along. I was reminded of the band Grizzly Bear and to a lesser extent Interpol. That being said McLaughlin has a distinct singing style and he does happen to also sound his age. 

The song unfolds and has a good amount of changes. They pack a lot in the song and demonstrate they can write a song. The lyrics have some depth to them but aren’t overt. There is a good amount of ambiguity to the words. He sings, “The universe in a lens of pastel / When the floodwater comes / Erodes away to where.”

The band has some more funk from the baseline to the guitar on “One Tide.” It’s another well written, perhaps a little bit predictable, but still catchy with solid instrumental parts. The band hits some impressive peaks especially towards the end of the song where the vocalist sings, “When I’m in the music I’m as happy as I can be / You know I would do it for free.”

They close with “Maradona” which might be in reference to the soccer player. This song introduces some inventive production techniques and at first has a lounge-y dub-step vibe. As the song progress it mutates into a rock song. Towards the end the songs you hear piano bar style riff. Not bad. 

​This is a solid start for the EP. The EP is a bit scattered in terms of style but I think that was some of the intention. On their next release I would like to hear a sound that's a little more distinct that can define the band. All in all these guys seem to have the goods and are ones to look out for.

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