Ahead of their forthcoming new album The Gloss, due for release via Fire Talk on June 14th, Montreal's Cola returned to the Welsh capital to deliver a thrilling blend of darkened post-punk amidst the UK/European leg of their tour. 

With a string of new single's teased so far, the band have turned a chapter in their sound where we've seen a looser more experimental construction come to head, and live that's delivered in impeccable detail. Although, with a prominent back catalogue, the band first wasted no time in churning out their debut LP hits as Water Table's jagged guitar strums and mesmerising percussion rolled out seamlessly alongside At Pace which showcased their more melodic side through catchy lyrics and swelling guitar patterns.

It was only inevitable their arrival would cause the temperature to rise above the already sweltering high. Tim Darcy hardly broke in to a sweat though as he took it in his stride only coming up for a breath between songs. Me on the other hand, a far different story as I stood positioned under the only working fan spluttering out small wisps of air.

On the cusp of their new LP the band were keen to bring forward their new sound and soon launched in to Albatross. A 3 minute 30 second head nodding anthem that ventures on its buzzy riffs and infectious choruses. Elsewhere Bitter Melon is brought to life in wondrous detail as its dizzying patterns journey in to their unnerving energy as it slowly quietened in to an off kilter mystifying finale. 

With a solid grounding from past projects and new endeavours, Cola's enchanting soundscapes enriched in post-punk vigour are delivered in brilliant kaleidoscopic fashion. What's on record is deconstructed to its bare bones and brought back as an entirely different beast. With their anticipated second album on the way, it'll certainly be interesting to see where it takes them.

*****