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Let’s start at the beginning, in the Marble Zone. This is where self-reflection leads to creativity, and minutes become hours. Welcome to The Marble Zone.

“The Marble Zone is a place where I am at peace, where I can be creative and tap into what I most enjoy. Songwriting is cathartic and therapeutic, so the overarching theme is quite meta. There are references to the process I undertake when being creative, but I think the concept is universal; I invite others to find their own Marble Zone.“ Joe Carnall Jnr stated. Speaking on Welcome To The Marble Zone’s sonic palette, he added: “Over the past few years, I’ve been intrigued by the soundclash of guitars and electronic music and found myself listening to many New Order at the time of writing the record. Apart from the obvious ‘Hooky’ bass lines and 808-inspired drum sounds ( Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer), I became obsessed with Bernard Sumner’s vocal melodies and delivery. There are many other influences in there; dig around, and you’ll find Talking Heads, Gorillaz, Baxter Drury, LCD Soundsystem, Tame Impala and even a bit of Kraftwerk.“

This sophomore opus is a treasury of diary entries from a thirty-something father of three, who has gone from knowing everything to nothing at all, balancing the chaos, beauty, relentlessness and depression of the past three years – accepting what Carnall refers to as “The Marble Zone.”

“I’m deep down in the Marble Zone, on my last life,” confesses Joe Carnall Jr. as the synth-infused curtain lifts on Good Cop Bad Cop’s sophomore album, Welcome To The Marble Zone, which was released on 5 April 2024 via Count to Ten Records.

The brainchild of Joe Carnall Jnr., Good Cop Bad Cop’s frontperson rose to prominence as the figurehead of 00s indie band Milburn, who have enjoyed an incredible resurgence since their return six years ago. However, not being one to look back, Carnall began writing what would become Good Cop Bad Cop’s debut offering in 2018 and recorded the album in Los Angeles, USA, featuring none other than Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys’ fame behind the kit. Although 2024’s follow-up was put together closer to home, the guitars were left in their cases for the most part, with Carnall and Gold Teeth (Andy Nicholson) opting to push the synth and hip-hop undertones further. The result somehow sounds like both “then and now.”

This album is a keeper. Apart from the PR words I borrowed heavily from, there is only a little I can add. What is my favourite track?

Does It Get Any Easier? Its lyrics resonate with me. Joe Carnall Jr. tells us: “‘Does It Get Any Easier’ is arguably the most instant song on the album. It is a playful acceptance of life as a fully-fledged grown-up when, in all honesty, you still feel like Bart Simpson. Gomez meets Parliament.”

I Cried For A Friend This Morning: Joe Carnall Jr. tells us,” ‘I Cried For A Friend This Morning’ is a love letter delivered too late and easily the most difficult song I’ve ever written. A downside of getting older means losing people you love, something that never really occurs to you, if you’re lucky enough to avoid it, in your younger years. Musically, the overbearing sustain on the piano is a metaphor for grief.”

Far From Home: “Easily the most blissed out tune on the album, which aimed to steal some of the warmth and tranquility from the chorus of ‘Feel Good Inc.’ by Gorillaz. It is a song about the passage of time and how we only really live to create memories.” This quote from Joe Carnall Jr. inspired me to listen to Gorillaz because I wasn’t all that familiar with their sound, part of the joy of listening to new music is the rabbit trails that it sends me on.

The album artwork of Demon Days by Gorillaz was designed by English comic book artist Jamie Hewlett, who was co-founded the band with Damon Albarn.

I recommend Welcome to The Marble Zone. It has hooks and lyrics that demand more than one listening session. Make a nice cup of tea, settle into your favourite chair, put on your headphones, and give this a serious, focused, and intentional listen. Welcome to The Marble Zone is a good album; I’ll get my cup of tea now.

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