Joe Carnall has been a reluctant figurehead of the indie rock scene in his hometown of Sheffield for over a decade, with his band Milburn. Wanting to explore a different area, he set out with the help of close friend Matt Helders, himself no stranger to the music of Sheffield, as drummer, vocalist, songwriter, and founding member of Arctic Monkeys. The result – Good Cop Bad Cop, and the project’s self-titled, 11 track album, written by Carnall and produced by Helders.
Good Cop Bad Cop’, was born when Carnall sent a couple of demos across to his long-time friend and ex-neighbour Helders, now resident in Los Angeles, because he thought Helders “would be into it”. From there the pair began a larger conversation regarding Helders tring his hand at production, and making the record in his (soon-to-be-completed) home studio, in the Hollywood Hills. The result is everything you’d think it would be, given the production environs and the skills of the duo; contemplative and searing, with a definite Southern California vibe to it.
The debut offering from the album was the single, ‘Silk & Leather’, which they released in February. Tinged with vintage vibes, yet highly polished, it quickly picked up traction from the likes of NME, DIY Mag, Wonderland, The Line Of Best Fit, and others. The album itself is heaving with broodingly perceptive melodies penned by Carnall, who also plays every instrument on the record. It’s probably not to everyone’s tastes, and it’s one which takes a few listens to get into, and it’s certainly a departure from the music those familiar with the duo might expect. But it’s worth sticking with it until the end.
‘Good Cop Bad Cop’ is available now on all digital platforms. You can also buy physical copies, as well as merch, from the duo’s webstore. Carnall and Helders will be touring the record this month, starting at King Tut’s in Glasgow, before performing in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and Nottingham, as well as a show at London’s Hoxton Hall, before winding up at Brixton’s Thekla. See here for tickets and further information.
You can find Good Cop Bad Cop online on their official website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
