Top tracks — play these first
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Up the Junction — This track tells a poignant story of love and loss through vivid imagery, encapsulating the band's knack for narrative-driven songwriting while featuring an unforgettable melody.
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Cool for Cats — The title track showcases the band's signature wit and catchy hooks, addressing themes of urban life with a playful yet insightful lens.
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Slap and Tickle Start here — With its infectious rhythm and cheeky lyrics, this song exemplifies Squeeze's ability to blend humor with pop sensibilities, making it a standout on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Clever melodies and witty lyrics define this single, showcasing Squeeze's early new wave sound.
What we noticed
- The title track features a prominent, syncopated guitar riff that drives the melody, while the verses employ a conversational vocal style.
- Both tracks utilize clever lyrical wordplay, with shifts in tone that reflect the playful essence of new wave.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short, punchy listening sessions
- clever lyrical observations
- lighthearted and witty moods
- nostalgic reflections on life
- upbeat melodic explorations
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Expanded Squeeze's sound and lyrical sophistication, solidifying their reputation.
- Themes
- urban youth culture· late 70s Britain· love and loss narratives
- Career context
- Released on April 9, 1979, 'Cool for Cats' was Squeeze's second album, following their self-titled debut. This album marked a significant expansion of their sound and lyrical sophistication, solidifying their place in the burgeoning new wave scene. By this point, Squeeze had begun to develop their distinctive style that would set them apart from contemporaries.
- Stylistic neighbors
- XTC· The Buggles· Devo
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Up the Junction
The narrative shifts from optimism to despair as it reveals the protagonist's journey through relationships and challenges in urban life.
This transition in tone highlights Squeeze's storytelling prowess, showcasing how personal experiences can reflect broader social themes.
Tracklist
- 1 Slap and Tickle Start here 4:01
- 2 Revue 2:30
- 3 Touching Me Touching You 2:25
- 4 It’s Not Cricket 2:35
- 5 It’s So Dirty 3:11
- 6 The Knack 4:34
- 7 Hop Skip and Jump 2:46
- 8 Up the Junction 3:12
- 9 Hard to Find 3:37
- 10 Slightly Drunk 2:41
- 11 Goodbye Girl 2:59
- 12 Cool for Cats 3:41
- 13 I Must Go 2:16
- 14 Ain’t It Sad 3:28
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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