East London’s emerging guitar band, Tough Cookie, comprising vocalist and guitarist August Tse, fellow guitarist Jess Ayres, and bassist Daniel Hvorostovsky, has released their highly anticipated new EP, Devotion. Available now on Capitol Records UK, the project marks a significant evolution for the trio, delving into profound emotional landscapes of grief, acceptance, and healing, all while solidifying their distinct artistic identity. The EP, recorded in the evocative setting of a haunted East London church basement, draws conceptual inspiration from Patti Smith’s contemplative book of the same name, reflecting a deep commitment to their craft and an unflinching exploration of human vulnerability.
The Genesis of Devotion: A Band’s Maturation
The release of Devotion follows Tough Cookie’s 2025 project, The Countryside Is Good For You, which served as an initial foray into their musical world. However, the band members describe Devotion as a more authentic and cohesive representation of who they are today. Daniel Hvorostovsky highlights the previous work as a collection spanning multiple years, hastily re-recorded to achieve a semblance of unity. In contrast, Devotion was meticulously crafted with a clear vision, aiming for a consistent soundscape and narrative. This deliberate approach allowed for a deeper exploration of themes and a more unified musical expression.
Jess Ayres describes the process of creating Devotion as "learning of an identity," suggesting a transformative period where the band discovered its true artistic voice. August Tse elaborates on this, noting a significant shift in understanding the relationship between music and art. While their first mixtape was born from "trial and error," the new EP benefited from extensive preparation and a defined sonic direction. This newfound clarity extended to the visual elements, with August ensuring that their artistic output matched the deliberate direction of their music, creating a cohesive and immersive world for listeners. The deliberate choice to record in a church basement, a location often associated with introspection and solemnity, further underscores the EP’s spiritual and emotional depth.
Crafting the Sound: Musical Influences and Evolution
Tough Cookie’s musical approach is deeply rooted in a rich tapestry of influences, reflecting each member’s unique journey with the guitar. August Tse’s introduction to guitar music came later in life, ignited by the pop sensibilities of Maroon 5 before gravitating towards the emo and punk sounds of Green Day and My Chemical Romance after moving to England. This diverse early exposure laid a foundation for a versatile vocal and guitar style.
Daniel Hvorostovsky’s musical path began earlier with the piano, leading to an understanding of music notation. His mother’s fondness for The Beatles introduced him to the acoustic guitar, learning chords from songbooks. A natural progression led him to electric guitar and the heavier sounds of Guns N’ Roses and Avenged Sevenfold. A unique development within the band saw August and Daniel "pseudo-teaching" each other their respective instruments, with August transitioning from bass to electric guitar and Daniel embracing the bass. This exchange fostered a symbiotic understanding of each other’s roles and contributed to the band’s distinctive dynamic.
Jess Ayres, meanwhile, explored alternative directions, moving from acoustic neo-soul aspirations to the raw energy of punk-inspired riot grrrl bands. This parallel evolution in their individual playing styles converged within Tough Cookie, creating a sound that is both layered and emotionally resonant.
The band collectively draws significant inspiration from artists renowned for their evocative soundscapes and profound songwriting. Radiohead emerges as a "massive influence," particularly in terms of production and ambient sound design. Daniel explains their focus on creating "world and ambiance with the guitar" using pedals, prioritizing "feeling rather than the parts" or conventional lead lines. This emphasis on mood and emotional evocation over technical display allows their guitar work to serve the overarching narrative and atmosphere of each track. The storytelling prowess of artists like Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith also informs their intricate and nuanced songwriting, ensuring that each piece on Devotion carries significant narrative weight.
Exploring the Lyrical Depth and Thematic Resonance
Devotion is an intensely personal and emotionally wrought collection, described as a "cathartic release" that navigates "moments of devastation, acceptance and healing." The EP’s thematic core revolves around the arduous process of "excavating grief" and witnessing the gradual fading of a loved one’s presence. These narratives are deeply connected to the band members’ shared experiences and individual struggles, particularly concerning mental health. Daniel Hvorostovsky emphasizes that the "chaos from the first record is still there," acknowledging the persistent ebb and flow of mental well-being and how it continually informs their art.
The lyrics, predominantly penned by August Tse, offer a deeply personal perspective, reinforced by the collective contributions of the band to ensure the music supports the central storyline. The EP’s title, borrowed from Patti Smith’s book Devotion, extends beyond a mere literary nod. August clarifies that while the book, which explores an ice skater’s unwavering dedication, isn’t directly mirrored in plot, its central theme of "devotion" resonates profoundly with the band’s commitment to music. In an industry fraught with challenges, this unwavering dedication becomes a powerful subtext for Tough Cookie’s journey.
Daniel further expounds on this, connecting the literary inspiration to the "compulsion to make music." He articulates that for artists, creation is not a choice but an imperative, an uncontrollable urge to express oneself and affirm existence. This intrinsic drive is interwoven with other themes such as the "lack of spirituality or losing spirituality," which finds poignant expression in tracks like "Mercy." The EP, therefore, becomes a multifaceted exploration of human endurance, artistic imperative, and the search for meaning amidst profound emotional experiences.
A Deeper Look at Key Tracks
Within Devotion, certain tracks hold particular significance for the band members. "Tragedy Frontline" stands out as Daniel Hvorostovsky’s personal favorite, a song he "worked really, really hard to bring to the band and make everybody understand." Its eventual acceptance and realization within the group underscore the collaborative and sometimes challenging nature of their creative process. August Tse notes that the lyrics for this track, like "Mercy," came "really quickly," highlighting moments of intense creative flow.
"Mercy" itself faced initial hurdles, particularly regarding its chorus, which August initially struggled to embrace. However, a night’s reflection led to a breakthrough, affirming the chorus’s impact. August credits a viewing of a Bob Dylan movie for inspiring the melody of "Mercy," acknowledging the elusive nature of creative inspiration.
"Let Me Die" emerges as a shared favorite for both August and Jess. August reveals its "double meaning," suggesting a depth that goes beyond initial interpretation, inviting listeners to delve deeper into its lyrical nuances. Jess, who primarily contributes to the musical arrangements after August and Daniel have established the core structure, found "Let Me Die" particularly impactful. She describes experiencing an indescribable emotion upon first hearing it, a visceral connection that solidified its place as her favorite track on the EP. This highlights the power of their music to elicit profound, almost primal, responses, even from within the band itself.
The Setting: Regent Sounds and Denmark Street
The interview with Tough Cookie took place in the iconic Regent Sounds, a buzzing guitar shop situated on London’s fabled Denmark Street. This location is steeped in music history, providing a symbolic backdrop for the band’s conversation about their evolving sound. Denmark Street, often referred to as London’s "Tin Pan Alley," has been a cornerstone of the British music industry for over a century. It has housed numerous music publishers, instrument shops, and recording studios, serving as a creative hub for generations of musicians. Legendary artists like David Bowie, Elton John, and The Sex Pistols all have ties to this historic thoroughfare.
Regent Sounds itself boasts a remarkable past. Before its current incarnation as a guitar shop, the space functioned as a studio that hosted an extraordinary roster of talent, including Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. This rich heritage infuses the shop with an undeniable aura, making it a pilgrimage site for music enthusiasts worldwide. The tangible weight of this history is palpable, especially with the presence of T-Bone Walker’s 1949 Gibson ES-5N, a legendary instrument currently listed for sale at a staggering £1.5 million on Reverb, resting in its temperature-controlled case mere feet from where the band discussed their contemporary creations. This juxtaposition of musical legends and an intriguing new band underscores the enduring legacy of guitar music and its continuous evolution.
Industry Context and Broader Implications
Tough Cookie’s emergence comes at a fascinating time for the UK guitar scene, which continues to foster a diverse array of talent, pushing boundaries and redefining the genre. The band’s candid discussion about the challenges of the music industry—a sentiment echoed by countless independent and emerging artists—highlights the resilience and "devotion" required to navigate its complexities. Their signing with Capitol Records UK is a significant milestone, signaling broader recognition and providing a platform to reach a wider audience. This move from self-recorded projects to a major label release underscores the industry’s belief in their unique sound and compelling narrative.
The EP’s focus on mental health, grief, and self-discovery also positions Tough Cookie within a growing movement of artists who use their platforms to address profound personal and societal issues. This commitment to emotional honesty resonates deeply with contemporary audiences seeking authentic and relatable artistic expression. By emphasizing the "feeling" over technicality, the band taps into a universal language of emotion, allowing their music to transcend genre classifications and connect on a deeply human level.
Reception and Future Outlook
As Devotion makes its way into the world, Tough Cookie expresses a clear hope for its reception. Jess Ayres articulates a desire for listeners to "see themselves in it," recognizing the EP as an "embodiment of mental health." This aspiration speaks to the universal nature of the themes explored and the band’s intention for their music to serve as a mirror for listeners’ own experiences.
August Tse echoes this sentiment, urging audiences to "take the time to understand it rather than just listening to our face value." The meticulous thought and effort invested in the lyrics, often with multiple layers of meaning, are intended to be discovered and appreciated. For August, the ultimate fulfillment would be knowing that listeners have engaged with the lyrical depth as profoundly as the band did in creating it.
With Devotion, Tough Cookie has not only delivered a compelling musical statement but has also articulated a clear artistic vision. The EP stands as a testament to their growth, their unwavering commitment to their craft, and their ability to translate complex emotional experiences into a resonant and impactful body of work. As they continue their journey, Tough Cookie is poised to carve out a significant space within the UK’s vibrant guitar music landscape, inviting listeners to share in their deeply personal and universally relatable "devotion."
