Hollie Cook

★★★★ Happy Hour MERGE. CD/DL/LP

Excellent fifth LP from Sex Pistol Paul Cook’s daughter. Where Hollie Cook’s previous albums were overseen by Prince Fatty or Youth (who is credited as ‘executive’ producer here), this fifth outing is her most autonomous to date; with Cook and her General Roots band firmly at the controls. The result is a coming of age for both Cook and modern lovers rock, with the nine songs a sumptuous wash of mellow melodic groove and soft, soulful voice. The chief touchstone is Carroll Thompson and, as with Thompson, Cook’s songs deal with the female everyday; the romance and the pain and what gets us through. From Full Moon Baby’s rejoicing in new birth and Praying, a musical salve for the broken hearted, to Move My Way which sways to the sounds of carnival, and Kush Kween, a collaboration with Jah9 that celebrates the medicinal herb, Happy Hour is warm, nourishing, a genuine delight.