How Do We Relate to Corook?

story by editor-in-chief: Ashly Nicole

Photo by Ashly Nicole

Corook has always been someone who connects deeply with others, especially when it comes to body image, self-acceptance, the political climate, and so much more. Their latest EP, “How do I relate to you?” sharpens that focus even further. I had the opportunity not only to listen to the EP upon release, but to experience it live for the first time at their EP release show at Bell Choir Studios in Glendale, CA.

I’ve been to every LA show of Corook’s and every single time, it’s more magical than the last. I just want to start off by bragging that Corook took to their instagram story post show to say, “Ok guys so last night’s ep release show was literally my favorite show ever no big deal”, because what?! What an honor. With that sentiment, I can personally confirm, it was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to, and the energy in that little courtyard was something you’d have to be there to…ya know, relate to. There aren’t really enough words to explain the feeling of being at this show and hearing all of these songs live for the first time. It truly felt like Corook brought us into one of their rehearsals or writing sessions; it felt so intimate and personal, like they were mutually paying attention to us just as much as we were to them.

We were in for so many treats, even just upon entering the space. Everyone was greeted with chalk drawings and little interactive things to do with chalk left out on the sidewalk by Corook and friends, with things ranging from “Corook was here”, to little prompts like “how are you right now?” and a circle that read, “use me!” with pieces of chalk in the middle. When walking into the show space, there was a little merch table with a shirt with the lyrics, “I enjoy myself” from their new song, “Kleptomaniac”, some Corook themed sticker sheets, featuring things like the iconic fish (iykyk), some Corook branded packs of chalk, and my very favorite, the frog bucket hat with “Corook” embroidered on it!

The age range is also something I feel compelled to mention. There were friends and fans of pretty much every age, and it really speaks to how broad of a reach Corook and their music have, and how there is a song that anyone can connect to. There were also so many people of every orientation and demographic you could think of, and collectively, it was such a beautiful thing to realize that one person and their music could bring that many different kinds of people together in one room for the same thing.

This show was one I know I’m going to keep looking back on for a long time, because as wonderful as it was for Corook and their band, I know it meant just as much to everyone else there as well. We not only all got to be the first humans to hear this new EP live, but we got to share more personal and funny moments with someone we have admiration for; we got to be brought into their world for a couple hours, seemingly completely unfiltered, completely candid, and it just felt like we were all there with Corook, not just to stand and stare. Corook really spoiled us with this show too, playing both new songs and a lot of their classic favorites, opening with “if I were a fish”, and playing others like, “hell yeah”, “emergency contact”, and one of the biggest crowd favorites, “snakes”. We even got a full performance of a not yet released song, “gorilla glue”, that I’m excited for the world to hear (on the next EP).

I’ve said it before, and I’ll continue to say it, if you haven’t been to a Corook show, it’s absolutely something you should prioritize doing. No matter what’s going on in the world outside the venue walls, being at one of their shows transports you out of that. You feel accepted, included, like you’re somewhere you belong without question. Most times I go to shows alone, and sometimes I feel uneasy or out of place, but at every single one of Corook’s shows I’ve felt so comfortable and at peace, and I think that says a lot about the community and the environment they’ve cultivated through their art.

Now for a little track by track recap of this EP! I have always loved Corook’s past work, but this project feels especially important, so let’s talk about it.

It seems that Corook has never stayed tied to one genre, and this EP leans more heavily into folk compared to their previous, more dance and pop-influenced releases, and it’s always refreshing to hear some new sounds coming from one of your favorite artists. The opening track of this EP, “Scooby”, is a take on the current political climate and how people respond to it in the age of social media.As both the first track and the lead single, it could not have arrived at a more relevant time. Written from the perspective of someone who sees themselves as a “good” person, it critiques performative activism and virtue signaling. The lines, “I open up my windows, watch my neighbors get deported… Then I’ll upload it to TikTok because it makes me feel important” highlight that disconnect. The song ultimately lands on a harsh, but honest realization that we are not always better than the people we criticize, closing with “Fuck, I am the enemy.”

Song two, “You get me babe.”is a cute one, and I think a little nod (or big nod) to Corook’s relationship with their now wife, Olivia! (congratulations, yall!!) This one feels like a quirky folky love song about acceptance and comfortability. There’s not much rhyme or reason, just words strung together in a creative way to showcase that nothing really matters when you have your person. You’re safe, you’re comfortable, and you can just be you, and nothing has to make sense; that when you have that person, they just…get you, see what I did there?
There’s no showing off, there’s no need to impress, you sometimes don’t even have to say a word, they just fully understand you without even trying. “All you need from me is one little look, and you know
that I love you”.

You know how I talked about Corook being relatable and sort of how the EP title is a bit ironic? Well, track three holds true to that sentiment entirely. “Kleptomaniac”isn’t about what the title let’s on.
This song touches on the feelings of not fitting in, trying to fit in, but not conforming to what everyone expects of you. Corook reflects on never quite matching expectations, and instead embracing individuality, even if it makes others uncomfortable, and also on the idea that not everything needs to be said, and not everyone deserves access to you. They also touch on the old saying, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all”, and I think that really sums up the point of this one. I think this might be one of, if not the most relatable song on this EP, at least for me personally. I really love the message of loving yourself and being yourself, despite what others think, and only wanting genuine connections with good-kind-hearted people. “Looking like a kleptomaniac. Stealing all my power back. Guess I would rather make you mad, than to bore myself.”

Did I mention this EP is about relatability? “Banana Peel”,could be deemed more niche in the relatability department, but I think on a broader spectrum, we can all find the relatable message in it. This fourth track is fun and upbeat, but zooms in on the reality of struggling between what’s going on inside your brain vs. what everyone on the outside is saying. It explores the tension between internal identity and external judgment, particularly for those who exist outside traditional boxes. The song highlights the push and pull between acceptance and bigotry, especially for non-binary, trans, or otherwise marginalized identities. Even with its playful tone, it addresses a very real and often exhausting experience of dealing with being stuck between acceptance and people displaying bigotry. Corook describes that instability as being “slippery as a banana peel,” which perfectly captures those feelings.

Bringing it back to Corook and Olivia’s relationship, track five is all about them in the sweetest, “sugary wine”, way. “It’s only the rest of our lives” is a short, but wholesome song about Corook and Olivia’s partnership, proposal, and wedding, and it the cutest, sweetest little love song there ever was. I don’t really have many notes about this one, it’s purely self explanatory and simple, and all I can say is, I wish it existed for my wedding, because it absolutely would have been played. I really love love!

Photo by Ashly Nicole

Now for the final track that wraps up Corook’s most recent, and one of their most important bodies of work to date, “Relate to you”. As someone who has dealt with people I deeply love having strongly opposing and, honestly, very problematic views to mine, this one hits home a bit too hard. This song hits the nail on the head when it comes to figuring out how to navigate a relationship where there are so many opposing views, ones that possibly harm you in a personal way. Trying to understand how to truly relate to those people in other ways, besides feeling that you have to out of obligation, familiarity, and the bond of blood. The lines, “It's hard to hold a grudge whеn ties are blood or under contract. Teetеr-tottering between your Secret Santa or no-contact…” and “How do I relate to you? Long as I relate to you. How do I find a way I can love you while hating your views?” open the door to Corook, and many other people’s feelings, and to the discussion of differences. This song brings to the surface the moments when the people you have uncuttable ties to, believe in things that go against your whole existence, but trying to find the ways to make them understand you, to accept you, and to be in a peaceful place of disagreement without bearing so much resentment toward them, that you can’t be in the same room.

Candidly, this is one of the most personal pieces as a whole that Corook has put out. It is an easy listen sonically, with upbeat melodies and approachable production, but the themes run deep. It balances fun and introspection in a way that makes it both enjoyable and meaningful; holding so much importance, understanding, relevance, and of course, relatability. I think a lot of Corook’s music is personal, not just to them, but to their audience, and I know in some capacity, their songs continue to help those people listening; whether it be helping someone come out to their parents, showing them the song, and creating that bond through empathy, and maybe words that person couldn’t otherwise get out, or explaining political, climate, and societal issues to someone that might better understand through piecing together lyrics in a song. Whatever the purpose may be, Corook’s music continues to be something to connect to and to learn and teach from, and I look forward to whatever other projects they may have for us in the future, but for now, go have a listen to “How do I relate to you?” and share it with people you love.