Cocteau Twins - Lullabies 12''

Released in 1982, the Lullabies 12" EP is a pivotal early Cocteau Twins release, marking the final appearance of original bassist Will Heggie. It is renowned for its gothic-influenced, dreamy soundscapes featuring Elizabeth Fraser's ethereal vocals and is considered a foundational piece of their dream-pop style, often compiled within Lullabies to Violaine. It serves as a crucial bridge between their debut, Garlands, and the more polished sound of Head-Over-Heels. The EP showcases a more claustrophobic, darkwave sound compared to their later, more ethereal work. The EP is highly regarded for its unique, otherworldly atmosphere, essential for collectors of early 1980s 4AD Records material. 

At the time, the Cocteau Twins were utilizing their Gothic Rock influences to supreme effect, and none of that is more obvious than on here. While their debut Garlands had elements of this sound, palpable in some instances, the roles are flipped here where Gothic Rock became the lead genre while Post-Punk took a secondary seat. These tracks are more abrasive, harsher and filled in scope, which does make their appearance on a small three-track EP quite strange.

Nonetheless, there is the epic eight-minute 'It's All But An Ark Lark' that caps off this EP, and disappointingly it shows why no other Cocteau Twins song comes within a minute and a half of it; there's no need. The track does revel in loud sounds, both in instrumentation and Elizabeth Fraser's vocals, but it doesn't really go anywhere. Quite surprising too that the eight minutes seem to go by rather quick, taking into account the whole song the variation's between this and its two companions is pretty stark.

'Feathers-Oar-Blades' is upbeat. Not in a happy way, just paced with a ludicrous fever that has drums and electric guitars constantly trying to one-up each other while Fraser tries her best to keep the rowdy crowd at bay. Then there's 'Alas Dies Laughing' which moves slower, using atmospheric textures to push melodic measures. There's bass that crawls underneath, guitars that don't latch onto any specific pattern, and drums that drag onwards like they're being forced to.

Overall, as mentioned before, Lullabies is essential for big Cocteau Twins. For everyone else, getting the LP's is all you'll need to do. Then again, it's not like this EP is all that well-received, as there are ones further into their discography that look to upend this one in terms of acclaim.

Ripped to MP3

Cocteau Twins; Lullabies 12”

A.     Feathers Oar-Blades

B1.  Alas Dies Laughing

B2.  It’s All But An Ark Lark