Sorry – ‘Cosplay’ Review: Unsettling, Ephemeral, and Irresistible Indie Magic

Exploring Sorry’s ‘Cosplay’ reveals a shimmering blend of chaos and melody, crafting an irresistible indie experience that defies easy definition.

The Enigmatic Allure of Sorry’s Sound

Sorry has always been a band that dances just out of reach. One moment, they’re handing you a catchy indie hook you didn’t know you needed; the next, they’re twisting it into something wildly unpredictable. It’s like they’re playing a game of musical hide-and-seek, never letting you pin down their true essence.

On their third album, Cosplay, this elusive charm deepens. Instead of peeling back the layers to reveal a straightforward identity, the band doubles down on the ephemeral, the shifting, and the delightfully unexpected. It’s a record that feels more like a fleeting dream than a traditional album.

A Sonic Journey Through Light and Shadow

The opener, “Echoes”, lulls you with sweet, dreamy arpeggios that slowly darken, culminating in a fierce explosion of distortion. It’s a perfect preview of what’s to come: music that refuses to stay in one place. The album closes with “Jive”, which starts as a somber, almost demo-like track before being shattered by powerful industrial blasts. These bookends frame a record that constantly mutates—shifting from the gothic heft of “Love Posture” to the tender vulnerability of “Antelope”, or from the fractured jazz vibes of “Magic” to the overwhelming noise crescendo in “Into The Dark”.

This isn’t your typical indie rock ride. It’s a wild, shape-shifting beast that keeps you guessing.

Inspirations That Twist and Turn

Digging deeper, Cosplay pulls inspiration from unexpected places. Take “Today Might Be The Hit”—a bouncy indie rock tune inspired by Ludwig Boltzmann, the 19th-century theoretical physicist whose work on entropy (the scientific idea of chaos) still resonates today. It’s a perfect metaphor for the album itself: a swirling mix of genres and moods where boundaries blur and crumble.

“We just wear things from the past as they are the only thing to hold onto. We are all cosplaying something that doesn’t exist.” – Sorry

This idea of wearing cultural masks carries the album’s theme—how we mimic and remix the past in a world bursting with endless cultural recycling.

Watch the official video for “Today Might Be The Hit” here:

https://www.inoreader.com/yt-embed/?v=WvYpZV5nv0E

The Art of Cultural Recycling

In an era where Hollywood churns out remakes and adaptations like clockwork, and where the Oasis reunion became the biggest UK cultural event of 2025, Cosplay feels like a timely commentary. Instead of stripping back to bare authenticity, Sorry embraces the collage of influences that shape us all.

This is showcased brilliantly on tracks like “Jetplane”, which samples lo-fi cult favorites Guided By Voices’ “Hot Freaks,” transforming it into a manic, high-speed blast. Then there’s “Waxwing”, where the cheerleader chant from Toni Basil’s “Mickey” is warped by darkwave synths into a sinister psychodrama. The accompanying music video, directed by frontwoman Asha Lorenz and creative partner Flo Webb, plays with the iconic imagery of Mickey Mouse’s gloves and ears, twisting them into something shadowy and haunting.

A Wardrobe of Masks

Cosplay isn’t just a title—it’s an experience. The album feels like a strange wardrobe full of masks that Sorry keeps swapping, never settling on just one look or sound. This multiplicity adds layers of mystery and intrigue, making the band feel as unknowable as ever, yet somehow even more compelling.

If you’ve followed Sorry’s journey, this record is both a continuation and a departure, a thrilling exploration of what happens when a band refuses to be pinned down.

Album Details

• Record Label: Domino
• Release Date: November 7, 2025

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to their curious sound, Cosplay is an album that demands your attention. It’s unsettling, beautiful, and utterly irresistible—a captivating mirror to a world where everyone’s playing a part.

FAQ

• What genre does Sorry’s album ‘Cosplay’ belong to?
  It defies easy categorization, blending indie rock, pop, jazz, darkwave, and noise in a fluid, genre-bending style.
• What inspired the song ‘Today Might Be The Hit’?
  Ludwig Boltzmann’s concept of entropy—the scientific idea of chaos—inspired the song’s themes and energetic indie sound.
• Who directed the music video for ‘Waxwing’?
  The video was directed by Asha Lorenz, Sorry’s frontwoman, alongside her creative partner Flo Webb.
• What does the album title ‘Cosplay’ signify?
  It reflects the idea that we all wear cultural “masks” or influences, endlessly imitating past styles rather than inventing completely new ones.
• When was ‘Cosplay’ released?
  The album was released on November 7, 2025.

If you’re inspired by Sorry’s eclectic, shape-shifting artistry, why not bring that vibe home? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store and keep the spirit of Cosplay alive in your space. Explore the collection here!