Camp Cope
photo by Matt Warrell

stream Camp Cope's self-titled debut LP

Over the weekend, the music critic Ian Cohen tweeted a link to Australian band Camp Cope‘s debut album and wrote, “RIYL: Courtney Barnett + Rainer Maria + Hop Along + Peter Hook basslines.” That’s a hell of a co-sign, and it got me listening right away and this thing lived right up to the hype. Those comparisons are spot on, and I’d also add that it sounds like an Australian Cayetana (though maybe that’s redundant). They only formed in 2015 and played their first show in August of that year, but they already have a sound that comes off like the work of a much more seasoned band. Singer Georgia Maq has a seriously powerful voice, the kind you can really feel the emotion in, and she writes lyrics that it’s easy to imagine people obsessing over. “Jet Fuel Can’t Melt Steel Beams,” which tackles street harassment, is especially powerful.

Camp Cope are already in great company. They’ve toured Australia with Jeff Rosenstock, and also opened shows over there for Waxhatachee, The Hotelier, and Modern Baseball, who also gave them a solid co-sign:

Some of the Australian press is saying they have the best album of the year so far, and they also won over the people at Rolling Stone Australia, who had them record a live session. Watch that, and stream their self-titled debut album below.

In September, they’re actually touring Australia with Cayetana, and that tour includes their label Poison City‘s Weekender Fest, which also has Pity Sex. No US dates announced yet, but let’s hope they make it over here soon!

Cayetana/Camp Cope tour flyer, live session video, and album stream below:

Cayetana Camp Cope