Newcastle‘s savviest indie rock trio, Little Comets, officially break their eight-year hiatus since their last studio outing, 2017’s Worhead. Well. That’s not entirely fair. Frontman Robert Coles, lead guitarist Michael Coles, and bassist Matt Hall have still dished out several singles in the time since LP4 – who could forget 2018’s excellent rallying cry “The Punk Is In The Detail“, 2019’s “American Tuna,” or even 2021’s “Total Abject Paranoia“? – but their latest single, “HIJKL,” signals the first single since Worhead that will tie directly into an album release. And frankly? There is no better time for the return of the particular brand of salient, lyrically-potent social commentary that only Little Comets can provide, all while anchored to an incredibly solid tune.
Warbled, distorted speak sets the tone for the in media res catch-up session the band offers about both the state of the United Kingdom, and how, if at all, love can survive under these conditions. Given that the track is an acronym for “Have I Just Killed Love,” the outlook does not look stellar. Rob and Micky deliver a shimmering, sunny cascade of guitar licks that binds the track together. Coming in under just three minutes, it’s this central guitar passage that the song is built around, buoyed by Matt’s steady, upbeat bassline. One of Rob Coles’ greatest conceits as a lyricist is his ability to walk that fine tightrope of balancing both the political and the interpersonal; that macro/micro dichotomy is on full display with the depictions of “Child dead, fucked head, now apparently unreachable” along with mentions of revoked citizenships and a burned Union Jack set against “watermelon letterbox, impurity in tank tops,” and “she’s like the mother of your children.” That outward tension between the larger state of affairs within your country, and having the mental wherewithal to not let its cynicism taint your cherished relationships is particularly timely.
The turning point comes with the track’s optimistic thesis that belies the tragedy of failed romance: “Tomorrow is a work of art.” Apparently an off-handed affirmation Coles found in his daily horoscope, but paid no mind towards. That is, until the effects of not cherishing each and every day you have with your partner catches up to you – for that is how you just killed love. While LP5 has yet to be officially announced as of the writing of this track review, we know for certain that it will arrive within 2025, as Little Comets set out upon their UK Spring Tour. More details over at Instagram. Listen to “HIJKL” down below:
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