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ALBUM REVIEW: Westside Cowboy - It Goes On
- Oliver Watts
- 19 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Back in 19th century New York history, some people in the area didn’t know how trains worked. The ‘Westside Cowboys’ were born from this, horseback riders who helped keep train speeds in check. This is where the Manchester indie folk band originated their obscure but fitting name as Westside Cowboy, a band that invites you in to join their herd with folk infused alt rock tracks from their debut album ‘It Goes On’.
This eleven track brand new album features a variety to listen to, with a lot of the tracks having a nostalgic atmosphere to them. Westside Cowboy features the whole band trading vocals, adding to their uniqueness. This trading vocals makes the Manchester born band feel family-like, as if they are all in it together, or longing to be together. Tracks ‘Dobro’ feature lyrics ‘Come home’ as if it were a ballad, and ‘Well Done Kid’ features almost a longing for that individual in the lyricism ‘That person has gone’. These add to this feeling of nostalgia, remembering a good time in the past, or the uncertainty of everyday life.
This being said, the album radiates joy and feelings of community perfectly, set to leave a smile on your face. The vocals of Aoife Anson O’Connell are a crucial element to their sound, complimenting the rich tones of Jimmy Bradbury, Reuben Haycocks and Paddy Murphy with a sharp Folk sound that cuts through and leads beautiful sub-melodies. This works perfectly, especially in tracks ‘Kick Stones (The Boys)’ and ‘Pin Up Boys’ which allow for each of the group's vocals to really excel either throughout the track or in the crescendo towards the end.
All tracks are fantastically put together with drums, loud guitars and even a glockenspiel in the track ‘Coyote’. These choices of instruments hint at the band's family atmosphere, almost a childhood innocence, or having a bright whimsical time. Nevertheless, ‘Paper Chains’ features lyrics ‘It Goes On and On’, and Westside Cowboy hope you continue to listen to their new album ‘It Goes On’, ‘On and on and on’.
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