Upon the release of its sixth studio album "I'm Not Afraid Of Music Anymore" on Sept. 13, Nashville-based alternative band COIN reminds fans of its lively artistry and inspires listeners to be fearless.
Nashville-based alternative band COIN dropped its sixth studio album “I’m Not Afraid Of Music Anymore” on Sept. 13. The album showcases the band’s evolution and growth, with more vulnerable lyrics and a sound that’s both familiar and fresh.
COIN first gained recognition in 2016 with the hit song “Talk Too Much.” Since then, the band has become a staple in the modern indie and alternative scene. After expressing creative exhaustion following the 2022 release “Uncanny Valley,” “I’m Not Afraid Of Music Anymore” marks a turning point for COIN.
The new album sees the band pushing into a more vulnerable direction lyrically. The songs on the album explore COIN’s feelings around fame and art, and how these feelings affect their personal relationships. Some tracks lean heavily on the band’s alternative roots, with darker tones and loud synths.
“Problem” is a standout song on the album and undeniably resembles the work of Cage the Elephant and The Strokes, with spunky speak-singing and unrestricted lyrics. Frontman Chase Lawrence sings with humorous dissatisfaction at his current level of fame, “But I die when I get recognized / And cry a little when I don’t.” These confessions signal to fans a new sense of openness from the band while staying true to their sound. The song, placed perfectly near the album’s halfway mark, acts as a refreshing interlude from the other toned-down tracks and serves as a reminder of where COIN came from.
The album’s main downfall is how indiscernible some of the tracks are from one another. “Bloodtype,” “Sing Along” and “Olivia” are all slow, reflective songs with a lofi sound. Each of these tracks is effective on its own, featuring stunning vocals and light guitar, as they explore finding oneself and the fright of romance. But, all of them are placed together in the back half of the album, making for an exhausting and repetitive listen.
Of course, the slower songs are by no means boring. “Growing Song,” for instance, packs a simple and poignant punch as it follows the narrator aiming to change themself for the better in order to better understand who they are: “Goodbye to the part of me / I never really knew.” For the majority of the song, Lawrence repeatedly sings “Maybe I’m growing.” Rather than feeling redundant, the refrain evokes a powerful image of the narrator trying to convince themself that they’re truly evolving. COIN remains playful and ends the track with a spoken “Or maybe I’m not,” cleverly emphasizing that change isn’t linear.
The album’s lead single, “Strawberry Jam,” is a delightful return to classic sound for COIN. The brilliance of this track is the juxtaposition of melancholy lyrics — “We fell in love in a parachute / But I set off like a rolling stone” — with upbeat instrumentals. Featuring harmonica, whistling and clapping, the song gives off vibes that are reminiscent of the last few moments of summer. And still, Lawrence is singing about the troubles of running away from a relationship whenever the going gets tough. This track showcases how much fun COIN has creating music that deeply explores its vulnerabilities, creating a more enjoyable listening experience.
“I’m Not Afraid Of Music Anymore” is an evolved version of COIN’s earlier indie work. The band doesn’t hold back lyrically, allowing audiences to better connect with the music. Even with the songs’ somber and often pessimistic lyrics, the band refuses to take themselves too seriously. While the latter half of the album may feel a bit tiresome at times, the sentiments of the work make up for its shortcomings.
