Deptford Sound Collective's most recent release, “We All Need a Cat,” is curiously human. It’s not just a song, it’s a little glowing reminder that having somebody you wouldn’t expect around makes the rough times easier. The base here is jangly indie zinc-pop textures, but it leans into a bright, unpretentious energy that’s thoughtful and refreshingly honest.
The performance of the song takes a different direction here, becoming more emotionally anchored while retaining its unique essence. The outcome is a surreal energy that is enjoyable without ridiculing the profound meaning, the impressive resilience of daily ease. The narrative possesses a relatable authenticity, arising from real experiences, which gives the song its emotional weight. The arrangement sounds great, and it has an informal warmth. There’s a lightness in the way the instruments paint that aligns with the lyric, which isn’t too busy and never too polished. Instead, it embraces people like an old friend and allows them space to consider and smile. This song creeps up on you. One second you’re tapping your foot, and the next, you’re pondering all those little things that keep you going.
What makes “We All Need a Cat” work primarily is its relatability. It takes the strange, sometimes funny ways we cope with heartbreak and mental strain and makes them into something that subtly cheers. In doing so, the Deptford Sound Collective has crafted more than an indie pop tune, they’ve reminded us that healing isn’t always loud. It sometimes comes in quietly, curls around you, and doesn’t leave.