Single Review: Cools You Down

Laconic Zephyr have certainly made themselves heard with their release Cools You Down. This five-piece band from New Plymouth have rocketed to a number one spot on the New Zealand iTunes Rock Chart, with a song which only took 20 minutes to write by the bands lead vocalist and bass guitarist Joss Bines.   

Taranaki has made itself heard with many great bands past and present hailing from the region, but Laconic Zephyr just may be the first band from there to have hit #1 on the chart. And the talent just keeps on coming. Cools You Down features Joss Bines, Kama Antrobus, Jase Base, Mark Bines and Glenn Smith from New Plymouth. Further to that the single was recorded at Big Bamboo Records, engineered by Brian Hatcher, produced by mPHATic, and mastered by John Astley (The Who, Queen, Tori Amos, Marina Bloom to name a few).
 

Inspired by “Pink’s layered vocals and Gin Wigmore’s drum beats” this certainly is a song which will want to make you shake your bootie and sing. It is fresh and fun a real summer anthem to brighten up our winter.

Joss Bines has a voice like caramel. Warm, sweet and smooth (to use a much-quoted descriptive word). Although the band has only been together three years, they already have an impressive following and are known for their positive vibes, originals and also covers with gigs all over Taranaki.

What grabbed my attention first, before I had even heard any music from this band was the name Laconic Zephyr (no it doesn’t mean rad iconic car). You would be pushed to find a name cooler than that and who would have thought that it means “crisp breeze”. It is only fitting Cools You Down is the name of this groups number one hit.

They have no plans to record an album just yet but will concentrate on more singles and gigging. Whatever this band does will be watched with interest to see what happens next.

This is a colourful uplifting tune which brings to mind warm summer days and music festivals. It is very catchy and super cool.

_{Review written by Corinne Rutherford}