Burrows, the long-awaited debut for Leeds-based trio Caro, is a beguiling beast. They’re a gloriously diverse band, skipping merrily from psychedelic electro to introspective folk and back again with a seemingly reckless abandon, and that makes Burrows a fantastically rewarding listen. For the uninitiated though, it’s a record that might take a while to settle into. But when you do, it’s an absolute delight, like passing through the wardrobe door into a musical Narnia, albeit a very troubled one.

Opening track Closet Lunatic explodes from a claustrophobic intro into a bass heavy, synth-tinged disco rocker, while Fall Apart is built around a gorgeous riff that twists its way into a ludicrously smooth chorus. It’s also a good early marker for much of Caro’s lyrical content, as lead singer and frontman Adam Pardey reveals with a stark honesty: ‘I think I’m ready to fall apart again”.

Struggles with mental health, self doubt, and even suicidal feelings permeate much of Burrows, often in stark contrast to the band’s apparent musical whimsy. Cat’s Pyjamas is exhibit A, a joyous clap-along pop track that, sonically, would feel right at home on an IKEA advert, until you realise quite how dark Purdey’s words make the track (I can’t find a wife, my car keys or a plastic bag / That wouldn’t make a lovely face-mask / Maybe that could make a feeling last / I can’t stop thinking about how I just want to die / It’s hard to not fantasize / When all the adverts make it look so nice”).

Other band’s would struggle to make this sort of thing work, but Caro succeed with what seems like almost carefree ease. There’s so many great songs here, Cold Comfort is like a pressure cooker waiting to go off, while Monster Man is an absurdly enjoyable wurlitzer of a track. But it’s closing track Figure Me Out that comes closest to revealing what’s at play here – against a gentle piano refrain, Purdey sings “Don’t figure me out until I’ve had a chance to myself”. And it’s the key to Burrows: just enjoy it, because it’s a brilliant head-scratching gift of an album.

Burrows tracklist:

1. Closet Lunatic

2. Fall Apart

3. Cold Comfort

4. Out To Get You

5. Cat’s Pyjamas

6. Burrows

7. Form A Line

8. Eyes On The Ground

9. Smorgasbord

10. Monster Man

11. Figure Me Out

Watch the official video for Monster Man here.

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.