COSMO JARVIS is more than Mel. SHE’S GOT a great song but there is more YOU should hear. /// The Burning Ear

she’s gonna eat your soul, leave you with a hole

Seems like forever since I put Cosmo Jarvis’ “Mel’s Song” up on TBE and it kinda has been but I just recently got a copy of his debut double-LP Humasyouhitch/Sonofabitch. I have never been a fan of double albums and as a debut it seems a particularly bad idea. In this day and age there is just so much music to be consumed that most bands are paring things down to 9 or 10 tracks per album and it’s a shift that I like. I’d rather have an album bring the jams and then leave me wanting more than meander on too long leaving me reaching for the skip button. Unfortunately, I’ve never met a double disc that left me wanting more and Cosmo’s debut is no different. The “lighter and fluffier” first disc, Humasyouhitch, is a damn solid pop with Cosmo ripping through 9 tracks of juvenile lyrics and bouncy, catchy music. Sonofabitch, the album dealing with “lyrical content and bad times” comes across as a heavy handed attempt at prove his chops as a serious songwriter. It’s like he pre-emtively bundled the stereotypical “mature sophomore album” with his goofy debut and it doesn’t quite work for me. Cosmo is best when he is slaying tight hooks, kicking out pop gems and singing about bullshit. However, tracks like the super fun “She’s Got You” and the infectious “Wild Humans” show that he is not all childish ridiculousness and can handle serious topics without turning into a downer. This guy has some serious talent and I hope he doesn’t let it get bogged down in depressing topics. I have no doubt that if he had released Humasyouhitch on it’s own, and slapped on a more upbeat cover, he would have gotten more attention last year. People like to know what they are getting and they like it wrapped up nice and tight. Own it, Cosmo, own it. And then rock it with no apologies.

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