The New Normal
The New Normal gives heavy rock time to grow. Cog build their songs around thick guitar riffs, active bass and drums, and Flynn Gower's direct singing. The music has some of Tool's dark atmosphere, but the Australian trio also favour memorable vocal lines. Their best songs make room for both sides without making the changes feel forced.
Real Life sets out that approach clearly. A quiet opening gives way to a much larger guitar sound, with the voice bringing a sense of urgency. The song changes its weight as it moves, yet remains easy to follow. My Enemy works on a smaller scale. Its strong chorus and tight playing make it a useful introduction for anyone who finds the longer pieces demanding.
The rhythm section gives the album much of its character. The Spine puts Lucius Borich's drums in a central role, building an uneasy atmosphere around their repeating patterns. Run is less predictable, moving through contrasting sections while layers of vocals add another texture. These details keep the music active even when the guitar settles into a steady figure.
The final stretch is where the longer writing earns its space. The Doors moves from a quiet, spacious opening towards heavier playing, then relaxes again. Naming The Elephant continues the sense of movement with a clean guitar pattern that develops into something much larger. The changes feel connected to the mood of the songs, giving the closing pair a shape beyond their length.
That patience is less rewarding elsewhere. Charades repeats a simple idea for too long, and some of the political writing lands with less force than the performance suggests. There are also passages where a shorter arrangement would make the same point more clearly. The album's size can test the listener before its strongest closing material arrives.
Even so, The New Normal makes a strong case for Cog's approach. The heavy sections have impact, the quieter ones carry real tension, and the band have enough rhythmic detail to hold the two together. It is an engaging choice for listeners who want their alternative rock to explore longer forms without giving up a clear melody.
