What is the state of rock right now? Where is the genre going? After The Beatles and The Rolling Stones won the top prizes for rock at the 2025 Grammy Awards, this question is at the forefront of music discussion. However, I believe the closest we have to answering this question may lie within Brighton post-punk band Squid’s new album, Cowards.
Squid was formed in 2016 out of the “Windmill Scene,” a collection of artists, including Black Country, New Road and Black Midi, that are pushing the boundaries of music at a London pub called The Windmill. Squid is influenced by indie rock and krautrock favorites, such as Sonic Youth and Neu!, yet they often cite jazz and minimalism as inspiration as well. Their sound is aggressive, yet not overwhelming; every note feels intentional, and oftentimes, the space is more important than the sound itself.
Squid has never been one to shy away from discomfort, and their newest album, Cowards, demonstrates that well. Lyrically, this album is heavy with dark narratives, focusing on characters ranging from murderers and cavemen to even Andy Warhol. The music imitates the lyrics, as swells of sound are complemented by repetitive and passionate vocals. Guitars meander around harpsichord lines as vocalist Ollie Judge alternates between caustic shouting and softer singing.
Throughout this album, Squid does not allow themselves to be defined by their influences, creating songs that sound wholly unique to anything else in rock. The frenetic energy of the opener, “Crispy Skin,” sounds like a spirited musical nervous breakdown, while the closer, “Well Met,” is a somber, driving recitation on the dystopia of climate change supported by horns and strings. Overall, what Squid accomplishes on this album feels entirely fresh, and I do not doubt that the future of rock is in good hands.
Elliot Anderson is a first-year in the College majoring in Biology and minoring in the Windmill Scene.
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