After two years together and countless house shows following the release of their impressive debut EP “Pond,” Eugene indie-rock trio Common Koi returns to bless your summer, releasing their first album, “Bestfriends.” The tight 10-track list recalls past lives, drifting relationships and growing up — a superb reflection of the band’s exciting musical progression.
Featuring leading vocals and guitar from Skylar Coy, drums and synths from Stephen Strong and bass from Kira Gelbaugh, Common Koi has been tearing up the Eugene scene for nearly five years. On May 25, they headlined a rocking album release show at The Limelight, accompanied by Eugene’s Bowl Peace and GrrlBand, as well as Corvallis’s Blue Essence.
The song “Yeah, Well” introduces the album with a bang. Its pounding instrumental and raw, heavy chorus reminisce on lost love and simpler times. The line “Do you think of home when you think of me” establishes the project’s yearning, melancholy tone, remembering “people we used to be.” The song builds to a euphoric guitar riff before softly fading into the distance — my favorite moment on the album.
Next up is “Payton’s Revenge” — a spirited, head-bobbing tune about reigniting a past flame. The lines, “It was everything I want. It was just a couple months,” and “I’ll do what I’ve got to do to get back to you, whatever it may be,” elicit feelings of pent-up passion and desire for reconciliation. The song mixes in some peppy trumpets to close it out. Check out the music video for a clearer portrait of the track’s narrative.
“Everything That Goes Wrong in A Movie” continues the band’s hot streak in the project’s most devastating cut, equally easy to dance and cry to. Coy delivers his best vocal performance on one of the album’s catchiest and most well-written hooks. The line, “Somedays, I can feel you drifting away like the ending of my favorite movie,” evokes feelings of heartbreaking loss, where the things you once held dearest become snippets of memory. “Slipping out of focus like the scene where we met,” is a brutal gut punch — my favorite line on the album.
The song “Mirage” is a slight switch-up in sound from the previous three tracks, sporting funky, snappy guitar strums and a summery vibe. Another excellent vocal performance describes spoiled relationships built on a facade. The line, “Eyes like the lights are turning down,” highlights the painful end of a sputtering romance.
“50 Ways To Call The Void” is yet another departure from the band’s typical sound with a grittier, grungier cut. The distorted vocal and instrumental are rougher around the edges, conjuring feelings of anger and resentment toward burned bridges. The line, “When we didn’t talk, how do you think that felt to me?” invokes an uncontrollable animosity spawned by betrayal. While it might not be my favorite track on “Bestfriends,” it undoubtedly showcases the band’s creative range.
“Spilt Milk & Jazz Chords” opens with a reserved, exhausted vocal. The lyrics, “diminished dreams,” and “this is not how things should end,” reference the perplexing disappointment and regret associated with splitting up. Strong’s synthy rhythms lead to a chaotic amalgamation of distorted sounds, grinding the track to a turbulent halt.
The aptly titled “Drifters” continues the project’s running themes of separation and remorse. Beginning with shimmering, ethereal synths, the song transitions into a catchy, danceable chorus. The line, “Even though it hurts, I think about you all the time,” extracts feelings of inescapable, undying love in the face of grief. The ending kicks it into high gear with a powerful, head-banging instrumental.
Compared to the rest of the tracklist, “Co-Star” is a breath of fresh air, touting a more upbeat and hopeful sound. Its zippy guitar riffs and catchy hook are easy to clap along to. The line, “Summer was ending, if we wanted to stop we couldn’t,” exposes feelings of nostalgia and adventure.
“Sucks” is an angsty, impassioned jam. Coy’s distressed screams shout, “Your heart is breaking, and it sucks,” frankly detailing the tormenting, consuming power of a shattered heart. Speaking from lived experience, “Sucks” is an ideal song to mosh to, shove your buddies and let it all out.
A fitting bookend to the album, “Escaping” circles back to “Yeah, Well,” repeating the line, “Escaping from people we used to be.” The project’s slowest and softest song, “Escaping,” incorporates sweet guitar strums and a sparkly, glittering instrumental. The excellent production utilizes harmonious backing vocals and piano, culminating in a floating apex to an outstanding record.
With “Bestfriends,” Common Koi further solidifies itself as one of Eugene’s premier bands. I can’t wait to see what’s next. The sky’s the limit.
