Adulthood
4/5
Storming the hipstersphere as part of the then-emerging ‘East London Electro Pop Scene’, Anita Blay, aka Cocknbullkid, has been the Next Big Thing since, like, 1873. This debut album has been gestating for so long that a queue of other prospective big things has built up behind her. Fortunately, Blay found what she was looking for, namely an adorably bouncy form of electro-informed pop, stripped of pretension and redressed with an attention to detail that makes it sound effortlessly huge.
Blay’s signature introspective, melancholic world view hasn’t been jollied out of existence, as demonstrated by recent single ‘Hold on to Your Misery’. But her subtle sadness is given another dimension by the uplifting tone of her music. Given the cast list, this shouldn’t be surprising. Blay had a helping hand in writing from electro kingpin Chilly Gonzales, Peter Moren (of Peter Bjorn And John), Joseph Mount of Metronomy and former All Saint Shaznay Lewis. However, Blay’s recent live shows – in which the formerly reticent frontwoman owned the stage – prove she has talent to spare.
