No Kill - “Swooning”

The latest release from Brooklyn’s Substitute Scene Records may sound a little familiar to you if you’ve followed the label’s output over the last couple of years. “Swooning” is the brand new single from the label’s most recent signing No Kill, and the combination of that song title and artist name shares some literal similarities with No Swoon, who released their awesome self-titled debut on Substitute Scene back in 2019. And while those similarities are a coincidence, it’s no coincidence that Substitute Scene has added another great artist to their roster in No Kill. It’s the new solo project of Brooklyn’s Jamie Cogar and their first single is a real stunner. 

Like it’s title suggests, “Swooning” is a dreamy shoegaze swooner that thrives on lustrous guitars, a driving beat, and Cogar’s sugary vocals. She creates a massive and rich wall of sound that bleeds with an incandescent haze, and Cogar builds it off of a solid hook-filled, pop foundation. Her gauzy vocals carry the track’s poppier elements, injecting a bit of 60s garage-pop into the song’s already infectious melody. “It’s a song about desire,” Cogar says. “It’s about vulnerability, irreverence, and the power games people play with one another.” 

“Swooning” is the lead single from No Kill’s forthcoming debut album, Gold Chorus, which is set for release on May 21st. You can pre-order the record via Bandcamp. You can stream “Swooning” on your platform of choice, including Spotify. Keep up with No Kill by following them on Instagram and liking them on Facebook.