Cole Koch - ‘Lockdown NYC’

Cole Koch brings his personal pandemic story to the distorted dance of debut single ‘Lockdown NYC’.

It’s tough to bring a new twist to a tale that has affected us all. The producer was stranded in New York after a performance in March last year. He had to find entrepreneurial ways to get back to Toronto, without money, food, or passports – and eventually smuggling himself in a stranger’s car. 

Following that experience, Cole began building a studio to create his new musical venture. First release ‘Lockdown NYC’ is a fitting introduction to the world, and hints at a bright potential.

The track’s vocals have all the swagger of British indie rock, repeating “Joe lost his passport”. And in the chorus – “we’re getting locked down in New York City” – comes a tune that sounds like Oasis came back to make synth-pop.

The words come over the top of distorted guitars and 808 drum loops, to form a dance song perfect for these strange times.

The true tale also feeds into the inspiration behind the visuals too, fitting the feeling like a glove and being the ideal backdrop to showcase the dance elements of the track.

For something that is quite abrasive at times, it also feels like a comfortable hit record. Sometimes you’re not quite sure what to make of it – and that makes it an ideal soundtrack for 2021.

Words by Samuel Draper

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