The Tubs
Cotton Crown
Trouble In Mind Records [2025]
“A gripping balance of raw emotion and razor-sharp hooks—The Tubs have never sounded more vital.”
Album Overview: The Tubs, a London-based band with Welsh roots, emerged from the ashes of Joanna Gruesome, a group that garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following. Several members, including Owen ‘O’ Williams and George Nicholls, carried their creative energy into this new project, making waves with their 2023 debut, Dead Meat. With a foundation in jangle pop and post-punk, The Tubs have steadily built a reputation for sharp songwriting and an engaging live presence. Now, they take their next step with Cotton Crown. Their sophomore record explores weightier personal themes without sacrificing the infectious energy that made their debut so compelling. The album reflects on grief, emotional turbulence, and the strange interactions that come with loss, as Williams processes the period following his mother’s passing. While the lyrics dig into difficult experiences, the music remains vibrant, counterbalancing introspective themes with an electrifying sonic backdrop. The album’s artwork, featuring an archival image of Williams as an infant with his mother, underscores its deeply personal nature.
Musical Style: The Tubs continue expanding their range, incorporating folk-inspired guitar work, muscular rhythms, and sharp, melody-driven structures. Their sound blends elements of traditional British folk, pub rock, and power pop with the grit of post-punk. Intricate guitar lines, tight percussion, and evocative vocals create a layered, dynamic listening experience. Whether moving at a breakneck pace or settling into softer, reflective moments, the album maintains a keen sense of balance.
Evolution of Sound: While Dead Meat introduced The Tubs’ love for jangly guitars and razor-sharp hooks, Cotton Crown widens the scope both musically and emotionally. The arrangements feel more expansive, creating greater contrast between tension and release. The songwriting carries a stronger narrative focus, with Williams embracing a more direct and vulnerable lyrical approach. The guitar work, which nods to both folk traditions and modern indie rock, is even more adventurous, complementing the band’s increasingly intricate rhythmic foundation.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of The La’s and Aztec Camera will recognize a similar knack for shimmering guitar textures and tuneful craftsmanship. The Tubs’ mix of sharp lyricism and propulsive energy recalls the urgency of Bob Mould and Superchunk, with the raw edge of The Chills. Folk influences reminiscent of Richard Thompson appear throughout, while some of the album’s glossier moments align with the polished grooves of Fontaines D.C. and The 1975.
Pivotal Tracks: “Freak Mode,” the album’s lead single, sets the tone with its blend of self-awareness and emotional volatility. The song captures the awkwardness of dating while processing personal loss, packaging raw feelings inside a bright, immediate melody. “Chain Reaction,” the album’s most aggressive track, injects full-speed intensity into The Tubs’ usual folk-leaning jangle, expanding their sound into sharper, more visceral territory. “One More Day” is another intense moment, sung with what sounds like Williams’ last breath. The track once again finds Williams’ introspective lyrics meeting soaring instrumental passages, leaning into the band’s punchier, high-energy tendencies. Throughout the album, the interplay between vulnerability and momentum remains a defining feature.
Lyrical Strength: Williams’ writing on Cotton Crown is as candid as ever, but this time there’s an added level of openness and risk. His lyrics pull from lived experience, addressing grief, personal flaws, and the odd social exchanges that come with loss. Despite the often heavy subject matter, his words carry an offbeat sense of humor, allowing moments of levity to break through. The contrast between blunt self-reflection and the music’s restless energy makes for a compelling, emotionally layered record.
Final Groove: Cotton Crown solidifies The Tubs as more than just a promising band—they’re now a force to be reckoned with. The album successfully balances emotional weight with sharp, energetic songwriting, proving that introspection and immediacy can coexist. It builds upon the strengths of their debut while pushing their sound in new directions, making for a record that is both deeply personal and widely resonant. If Dead Meat was an introduction, Cotton Crown is a statement. Where The Tubs go from here is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain: they aren’t slowing down anytime soon.
THE TUBS REVIEW HISTORY
Dead Meat (2023)
THE TUBS LINKS
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Trouble In Mind Records
- The Tubs: Cotton Crown [Album Review] - March 12, 2025
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