Cola Get Loose and Lethal on Cost of Living Adjustment
There’s a difference between sloppy and loose, and Cost of Living Adjustment lives entirely on the right side of that line. This is Tim Darcy and Ben Stidworthy’s loosest, noisiest effort — but here’s the trick: it was deliberately made with every choice serving a purpose. The fraying edges, the squalls, the rattle — all of it is intentional architecture. And thematically, the record tackles wage inequality through gallows humor, which turns out to be the perfect post-punk delivery system: you laugh, then you check your bank balance, then you laugh harder because what else can you do.
The Sonic Breakdown
The Production & Mix
The Low-End: Stidworthy’s bass work is the anchor that makes all the looseness legible — the low-end holds a steady, melodic through-line while the guitars go feral around it. It’s the classic post-punk formula executed with real finesse.
The Spatial Dynamics: The noise is placed, not spilled. Textures flare at the edges of the stereo field while the rhythm section stays locked in the pocket, so even the wildest moments feel navigable. That’s the “every choice serving a purpose” ethos made audible.
Standout Performance
Darcy’s delivery sells the gallows humor perfectly — dry enough to sting, warm enough to keep you in on the joke rather than outside of it.
Why It’s Certified
Cost of Living Adjustment proves that noise and intention aren’t opposites. Cola built their most chaotic record like watchmakers, and the result is post-punk that’s funny, furious, and endlessly replayable. Punk-rock work ethic, itemized-receipt presentation. Adjust accordingly.