Photographer: Christopher Waggott
Not every emerging pop star is cool just because Charli XCX say’s so, but in the instance of her comrade / buddy in alternative electronic pop CuckooLander, the claims are beginning to turn around in good favour.
For one thing, the CuckooLander I am hearing today is exhibiting far more wonky pop appeal than the sorrowfully grungier CuckooLander I was first introduced to last year.
Having said that, many a young female emerging artiste that came through last year was into chanelling the whole Lana and Lorde gloomily organic aesthetic. So much so, that I became quite over tired in hearing each and every slightly differentiating version of it.
After the initial welcoming response Holly Hardy as CuckooLander received last year upon the release of her eponymus debut EP, the rising star has switched up on the quirky beats and added a sharper dynamic into her repertoire.
The newly embraced retro pop stance of Charli XCX’s ex bass player comes through on her National Geographic inspired visual which accompanies shiny new single “Mother Nature”.
A curious alignment of Tom Tom club new-wave conviction followed through with a minimalistic nod of Paisley Park, Prince funk. “Mother Nature” is practically blossoming with zingy pop character that becomes more highly addictive with every listen.
Oh yeah and the hair style is way cool too, as is the fact that Holly’s actual pet snails “Party Boy” and “Mingey” have starring roles in the video!