Today, British post-punk rock band Squid dropped their highly anticipated third album, Cowards, via Warp Records.
It might just be their finest work yet. Known for their eclectic, experimental edge, Cowards marks a shift towards a more straightforward post-punk and alternative rock sound, while still retaining the band’s signature intensity and inventiveness.
The album kicks off with the epic opener “Crispy Skin,” a track that immediately sets the tone with jagged guitars, pulsating rhythms, and frontman Ollie Judge’s unmistakable, urgent vocals.
The energy doesn’t let up as the album progresses, weaving through standout tracks like “Fieldworks I & II,” where Squid’s knack for dynamic shifts and layered instrumentation shines, and “Cro-Magnon Man,” a gritty, driving anthem that feels both raw and meticulously crafted.
Cowards closes with the sprawling eight-minute finale, “Well Met (Fingers Through The Fence),” a slow-burning epic that builds to a cathartic climax, leaving listeners both exhausted and exhilarated.
It’s a perfect encapsulation of Squid’s evolution—more refined, but no less daring.
With Cowards, Squid has delivered one of the standout albums of 2025, proving that even when they lean into more traditional post-punk structures, their music remains as unpredictable and compelling as ever.
Cowards gets: 📷📷📷📷📷📷📷📷📷📷/10.
Squid – Cowards [Streaming]
