ALBUM REVIEW: DEATH OF A RABBIT – YOUR ARMS ARE MY COCOON
Review by Jaya Kohol
To the surprise of many devoted fans, skramz revival pioneers Your Arms Are My Cocoon have returned after 4 years with a full length album, “Death of a Rabbit”. The band originally broke into the DIY scene in 2020 with their self-titled EP. The EP, graced with their now iconic watercolor butterfly artwork, helped to define the newcomers as a force to be reckoned with. Unlike many of their other skramz counterparts of the 21st century, Your Arms Are My Cocoon utilize a totally unique blend of modern electronic and lo-fi elements, the likes of which you would find in most bedroom-pop work. The self-titled EP quickly gained a cult following online amongst teenagers and it remains a body of work with such a special sound, it has yet to be rivaled by any other new wave skramz revival bands. Now the band has reemerged with their quintessential sound on a full length album that continues to strengthen their well deserved popularity.
The opening track “let’s get married” sets the stage for the album, beginning with a wave of expansive sound, under which lead singer Tyler Odom repeats the refrain “let’s get married” in his familiar soft spoken voice. Throughout the album, Tyler’s voice ranges from raw guttural screams to a hushed gentle tone, an almost entrancing dichotomy which makes Your Arms Are My Cocoon so special. The following two tracks on the album, “muffled beneath the sound of the ocean” and “city on fire (closeness)” welcome the use of fast twinkly guitars, highlighting the band’s clear midwest emo influence from bands such as Brave Little Abacus or Tiny Moving Parts.
The 10 minute long track “runner duck” opens with a banjo and Tyler’s harsh screams, a stark contrast to the synth’s on the previous track “portraits.” The song moves slowly into a crescendo of drums and guitars, overlaid with various synths and electronic elements that bring the noise into melodic harmony. The final 2 minutes of the song, a somber tone repeats as Tyler recites the outro, with lines such as “she broke off lightbulbs in her skin, carving out pockets to fit silver dust and seeds to be pollinated by my body,” giving listeners a moment to reflect on the albums beautiful lyrical content which is rarely evident on most skramz records. “City in ashes” highlights the lo-fi/bedroom-pop influence with a muffled blown out sound that pairs with even more muted and almost buried vocals. Tracks “houston” and “death of a rabbit” stand out clearly as favorites of mine as both build to huge melodic expanses of song, combining the soft electric noises of synth, guitars, horns, nearly overpowering drums, and the layered vocals repeating “if only I’d had the guts to say.” The album ends with a stripped back track, letting Tyler’s singing voice and acoustic guitar shine underneath a grainy buzzing noise, a cathartic conclusion to an emotionally charged album.
Following my listen through of the album, I quickly turned to the band’s Instagram page with the hopes of finding new listed tour dates. Although they’re not on any official tour, Your Arms Are My Cocoon have been on a dedicated string of one off gigs here and there up along the coast of the northeast wherever possible. On their Instagram you’ll find a video of band members and fans drenched in rain, playing an emotional rendition of their song Metamorphosis off of their self titled EP, a fan favorite across the internet. Bands like Your Arms Are My Cocoon act as a powerful reminder about the connection that comes with music, and especially the connection between bands and their fanbase. Listeners to Death of a Rabbit will find that the band is only continuing to strengthen their DIY nature, a facet of music not cherished enough, and are continuing to tether themselves to their proudly devoted fanbase. Your Arms Are My Cocoon have shaped the modern lo-fi skramz sound and continue to pave the way for even more scene newcomers.