Sorry – Cosplay

North London’s Sorry are back with their third full-length, Cosplay, a confident, genre-hopping beast that oozes ambition and frequently succeeds thanks to sharp songwriting and even sharper production.

The transition from the accessible, satisfying arpeggiated indie of opener “Echoes” to the frantic “Hot Freaks”-sampling “Jetplane” is the first jarring moment on a record full of them—but Sorry’s unexpected deviations usually lead to scenic routes rather than dead ends.

Usually, but not always.

The spaced-out “Love Posture” feels too studied, and Asha Lorenz’s heavily processed lead vocal ends up being a distraction rather than a strength—not an isolated issue on Cosplay, unfortunately. Elsewhere, “Antelope” is a folky plodder, and the otherwise solid “Candle” is let down by its excessive sweariness. I have no problem with swearing, by the way—it’s just that the impact of a word like ‘cunt’ drops off a cliff with overuse.

After this lull, however, Cosplay takes flight. “Today Might Be The Hit” sounds effortlessly fun, clever without trying. Louis O’Bryen takes the lead on the slowly-building “Life In This Body,” a masterclass in pacing and patience. “Waxwing” raises the bar higher still, a well-executed standout on an otherwise restless record.

The final three songs aren’t quite as engaging, but it’s clear that Sorry have done enough to ensure Cosplay is worth revisiting—even if a few judicious clicks on the skip button will be necessary.

Cosplay is out now via Domino.