Cosmo Jarvis - Is The World Strange Or Am I Strange? (Album Review)
Wednesday, 07 September 2011
Written by Emma Newlyn
Cosmo Harrison Krikoryan Jarvis dropped out of school aged sixteen to pursue a career in music and film, and at the age of 21 has already been proclaimed as ‘one of the most special talents around’ by the likes of Stephen Fry and Brian Eno.
Born in New Jersey but raised in Devon, Cosmo Jarvis’ debut album ‘Is The World Strange Or Am I Strange?’ will be released on the 26th of September, along with a special edition digipack including 18 of his short films.
First track and single released from the album in 2011, ‘Gay Pirates’ became an instant viral hit with the self-directed music video and re-tweet by celebrity fan Stephen Fry, calling the song ‘wonderful’. Although seemingly a strange song subject, ‘Gay Pirates’ will indeed grab anyone’s attention, effectively teaming up darker lyrics with uplifting instrumental parts.
Second track ‘Sure as Hell Not Jesus’ is more poetic and a lot less pirate – themed, while ‘Blame It On Me’ includes memorable riffs and well written melodies, although this definitely isn’t one of his more inventive songs.
‘Is The World Strange?’ starts off like a gentle lullaby. Here, Cosmo Jarvis seems to be simply speaking very honestly about how the world has made him feel, and much like his other songs, combining a gentle and easy listening instrumental part with darker lyrics works effectively.
Fifth track ‘Dave’s House’ is quite comical, with lines like; “You could travel to a dead relative’s old place, and if they really are dead, they’ll let you stay a couple of days”. Again, Cosmo Jarvis quite brilliantly demonstrates quick, witty lyrics that are funny but clever.
Showing off his more gentle folk side and proving that this debut album is pretty varied even by the halfway point, ‘Let Me Out of My Head’ is a gentle, winding track, which sees Cosmo singing about paranoia and insecurities.
The charming and clever lyrics of ‘We Just Wanna Talk’ are delivered very matter-of-factly and his observations of life are provoking; “It’s better to be safely sorry, everything’s a threat”. Lyrics like this will connect with most people who are saddened at the fact that people just don’t talk to each other any more.
Following a song with so much to say, the gentle buzzing, ukulele-led sounds of ‘The Wave That Made Them Happy’ is another great variation to this album, while the reggae-themed ‘She Doesn’t Mind’ sees Cosmo Jarvis describing his perfect new girlfriend to his parents in another witty and funny track.
Punkier penultimate track ‘My Day’ shocks us back to attention, still holding on to the comical and clever aspects of which I’m sure Cosmo Jarvis will grow to be well known for, but this time injecting a whole lot of anger in to the song.
At 9 minutes 46 seconds, settle into final track ‘What’s Wrong With Betty?’ and prepare to be taken on a journey through just about every style of music you’d expect from this album. Beginning with a whirlwind of guitars, organs and drums, this is a concoction of so many different sections that it can be difficult to keep up.
‘Is The World Strange Or Am I Strange?’ is likely to divide listeners in to two groups: those who can’t stand these songs and want to hear nothing more about gay pirates or the state the world is in today, and those who think that Cosmo Jarvis is a genius, and that his stories are well worth listening to closely.
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Showing off his more gentle folk side and proving that this debut album is pretty varied even by the halfway point, ‘Let Me Out of My Head’ is a gentle, winding track, which sees Cosmo singing about paranoia and insecurities. 
