The Gloss
About this Album
The Gloss is the second album by Cola, the Montreal trio of Tim Darcy, Ben Stidworthy and Evan Cartwright. It was released on June 14, 2024 through Fire Talk Records and runs just under forty minutes.[1]
The title carries two senses: the commentary or critique of a gloss written in a margin, and the superficial sheen of a glossy magazine. Cartwright suggested it, and the album’s companion zine borrowed illuminated-manuscript imagery to match.[2][3]
Cartwright joined the songwriting as a full member this time, and the band described the record as lighter and shimmerier than the more somber Deep in View, with taut songs built on bass drone and repetition.[2] Critics were largely warm, with Metacritic at 79 out of 100, and Pitchfork and Rolling Stone both placed it on their 2024 year-end lists.[1]
Songs
References
- Wikipedia: The Gloss — Release date, track listing, personnel and critical reception
- Alternative: Artist Interview, Cola — Band members on the album title, the writing process and the reluctant birth of this song
- Beats Per Minute: Affirming the Ineffable, a conversation with Cola — Darcy on lyric influences such as John Ashbery and on his role as a performer