The Cords are just the latest in a long line of Scottish groups flying the flag for DIY pop. Sisters Eva and Grace take their cues from forebearers like Dolly Mixture, Heavenly and Tiger Trap, revitalizing the C86 sound with style and infectious enthusiasm. This has been a big year for them, from taking the stage at Belle and Sebastian’s Glasgow Weekender and dazzling at Glas-Goes Pop!, to playing alongside Duglas T. Stewart and hopping on the bill of San Fran mainstays Cindy’s Coventry gig, it seems only right that the Inverkip-based duo see 2024 out on a festive high.
Recorded over the course of two days with Jonny Scott (CHVRCHES) amidst recording sessions for their upcoming debut LP, “Favourite Time” is 2 minutes and 42 seconds of unapologetic Christmas joy; sleigh bells and all.
“I put on my favourite scarf to wear under the snowy stars / Sing a Christmas lullaby and drink up your ginger chai” sings Eva above a building blanket of clean, jangly (jingly?) guitar chords and Grace’s signature lively drum fills; which sound even more intricate and carefully executed this time around (think The Umbrellas). Not only does “Favourite Time” transport you to the colder months of the year; but I think it sums up exactly what The Cords do best: turn simple musings on life into the most charming pop songs you’ll ever hear.
