I had this sci-fi idea where I could get a sad song with vague lyrics about driving in bad weather implanted near my bicep to release feelings of trauma and feeling cold. Then I wouldn't desperately hunger for songs like those found on I Never Said I Didn’t Care, the latest release from Cool Original (formerly known as Cool American). Synthesizing gravelly indie rock with Morrissey-level melodies, the album builds a mountain of hook-laden tracks, inclining in catchiness and peaking with “It’s Not Like That” and “Teething” at the midpoint.

by Suzette Smith