Things are moving quickly for Will Joseph Cook. Now signed to Atlantic Records and just under four months after the release of his debut EP You Jump I Run, he has today returned with follow up, Proof Enough.
We covered the release of the first taste of this second EP in the form of “Beach” back in June as the Kentish 18-year-old was preparing to tread the boards at the legendary Glastonbury festival. It was a delightfully light and breezy slice and sun-soaked surf-pop with a simple, catchy chorus. “Beach” is joined in the middle of the four track EP by “Minute Of Your Time”, the other contender for the title of best single material. Although slower to get out of the blocks, overall it holds a more frantic energy and biting instrumentation not seen in his others tracks. Talking to Consequence of Sound, Cook explains the song was written from the viewpoint of a call centre worker frustrated by the “mental torment of a linear lifestyle”.
Sandwiching these two is “Hearse” at the start and the titular “Proof Enough” to close. “Hearse” pairs a soulful singing style with the most technically diverse and intricate guitar playing on the record while “Proof Enough” offers a palette cleanser as a finale. It lacks any real hook or notable change across the track, instead allowing for Cook to gently serenade. I’ve lasted nearly a whole review without making the obvious pun but it’s just far too irresistible – this collection of four tracks is proof enough (totally worth it) that Will Joseph Cook is a well-rounded songwriter and musician with plenty in his locker. Both “Message” and “Daisy Chains” from his debut EP topped the hypem charts and you can expect the same kind of reception for these tracks.