Amsterdam Moon

At the Barrier

“the collection is a delight and something that you will want to play over and over again…tuneful, relaxing and the perfect supplement to a lazy summer afternoon.”

JOHN BARLASS - Source

For Folk’s Sake

“Amsterdam Moon is dotted with stories that feel especially poignant for the Coo themselves; latest single ‘If Only’ is the first song that Arthur and Holdert have ever written together. The sweet, harmonic folk number unearths the inception of their collaboration.”

Jonathan Frahm - Source

Music News

“wonderful two-part harmonies that would surely have folk greats like Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris nodding in approval.”

Alex Gosman - Source

July Report – NativeDSD Album of The Year Award

The songs and music from The Coo are deeply rooted in a musical connection. There is no doubt about the singing, passion, and the pure joy of the songs on this album. An excellent debut from a vocal duo that you will be hearing more from in the future.

Brian Moura - Source

July Report – NativeDSD Album of The Year Award

“Startlingly present, right there in front of you, The Coo (Matt Arthur and Jara Holdert) make their songs seem as if they are flowing right out their hearts for the first time.”

Bill Dodd - Source

SAD HOUSE DADDY

“The Coo write melodic and beautifully crafted songs with a sound that is wistful, harmonious and raw.”

Folk Radio UK

“…some artists just sound like they were made to work together and The Coo are no exception, their harmonies are a soothing balm for the chaos of today.”

- Source

Positive Feedback

The music here is jazz influenced folk composed and performed by The Coo as a collaborative give and take of musical ideas. (…) And the recording still sounds just like what I’d hoped to hear: direct, live, unprocessed. With the lovely natural acoustics of this nice performing space.

Rushton Paul - Source

NativeDSD Listener

“Rosie” was on one of the DSD 512 samplers from NativeDSD. When I heard it I knew I MUST have the full album with those crystal clear vocals and realism but couldn’t find it. Well here it is!

I have a slower internet connection but i’m sure the whole album will sound as good as “Rosie”.

Jon

NativeDSD Listener

This album is exactly why I have been considering NativeDSD an amazing place for real music. I wish to thank you, NativeDSD, for reaching out to Matt and Jara with a proposal for this album, because it is a way for both Matt and Jara to greet us with their lovely and AMAZING lyrics.

These two are so deeply connected that I believe in what Matt said about them being two music soul mates. Please pass on the message to Matt and Jara, that we need them and their music – what a lovely album and one that I deeply appreciate as these are some of the most amazing 22 musical minutes I have ever spent!

I wholeheartedly say: Thank you!

Filipe Pinheiro

Caesar Live ‘N’ Loud

Amsterdam + London duo The Coo, consisting of Matt Arthur and Jara Holdert, have just shared their official debut single Low Country Girl, a wistful and romantic indie/folk-pop track that tells the story of their meeting.

Out now via Just Listen Records and Native DSD, Low Country Girl is taken from their forthcoming debut Amsterdam Moon EP and perfectly showcases how talented Matt and Jara are, by delivering a beautifully-written piece of music over an intimate production.

One can feel the honest and raw emotion of their storytelling which is highlighted by their smooth vocal delivery and lovely harmonies. I am really enjoying the stripped-down production of the song that allows their vocals to shine over intricate guitar melodies.

There’s something timeless about this song that I think many of you guys will enjoy and it’s just the whole intimate, warm atmosphere and honest songwriting that makes Low Country Girl such an endearing listening experience.

Caesar - Source

Folk Radio UK

The Coo’s journey started with a serendipitous meeting at an Amsterdam open mic, and has since evolved into a deep musical and personal relationship that bridges the North Sea. Matt Arthur from London (The Arthur Brothers) and Jara Holdert from Amsterdam (Lewin) write and sing songs together in two-part harmony, reminiscent of the warm late 60s and early 70s sound of artists such as Carole King & James Taylor; Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and contemporary artists such as Angus & Julia Stone and Big Thief. Like those aforementioned names, some artists just sound like they were made to work together and The Coo are no exception, their harmonies are a soothing balm for the chaos of today.

Where The Coo’s first single told the story of their meeting, ‘If Only’, the second track from their upcoming debut EP, is the first song they ever wrote together and represents the genesis of their musical collaboration. After their first serendipitous meeting in Amsterdam, contact faded for a year, as Matt went back to the UK. But a year later, when Jara decided to visit him spontaneously in London, they reconnected and wrote a song on their first afternoon. They performed ‘If Only’ that same evening at an open mic in Camden Town, marking their first-ever concert together.

‘If Only’ is a warm and harmonic story of the artistic journey through isolation and guilt and the yearning for release. With subtle musical shifts, The Coo’s second single is reminiscent of early Joni Mitchell with hints of Revolver era Beatles and Big Thief. Enjoy some well-earned respite and watch their video for second single ‘If Only’ below, recorded live at an old synagogue in the center of Amsterdam in April 2019.

Folk Radio UK - Source

Music News 4 out of 5

Never underestimate the power of music to bring people together. The Coo are Matt Arthur and Jara Holdert, from London and Amsterdam respectively, and it was an all-too-brief meeting at an open mic night in the latter city that sparked a personal and musical connection between the duo. That was nearly four years ago, and since then, there have been countless visits, performances, and online songwriting sessions, culminating in this five-track debut EP.

‘Amsterdam Moon’ was recorded live about a year ago, amid an audience of friends and fans in an old Amsterdam synagogue. On ‘Low Country Girl’ – a tale of the night they met – they set the tone for the rest of the EP; a stripped-back arrangement of little more than acoustic guitars and wonderful two-part harmonies that would surely have folk greats like Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris nodding in approval.

‘Rosie’ is probably their best chance at a ‘hit’; a lively-paced number that boasts the kind of almost Beatles-esque melody and a harmony-laden chorus that linger long in the memory. That said, other tracks like ‘Something Turned’ and the closing ‘Baby Won’t You Please’ would lose something in a typical concert hall or theatre; these are songs that are both built on and thrive in a sense of intimacy, and the duo’s confessional lyrical style suits the music beautifully.

The decision to record live was to try to capture “the focus, vulnerability and delicate tension of an intimate performance.” In that respect, The Coo have certainly succeeded, and after hearing ‘Amsterdam Moon’, you’ll most likely wish you’d been in that synagogue with them.

Alex Gosman - Source