Low Girl: Is It Too Late To Freak Out?
(AWAL)
Released 24th October 2025
The long-awaited debut album from Low Girl is almost upon us. Adam Brady reviews and finds more truth in someone else’s words than he was expecting. Will you too?
When Sarah Cosgrove began writing as Low Girl it was initially a solo project to exercise and exorcise her thoughts and demons. Over the course of three EPs and standalone singles, to becoming a full and collaborative band, the release of Is It Too Late To Freak Out is hopefully the first of many long-form peaks for the Hertfordshire-based quartet.
Multi-instrumentalist Cosgrove is joined by her brother Tom Cosgrove (drums), Bradley Taylor (also a multi-instrumentalist), and Toby Morgan on keys. Together they have crafted an album that confidently and unashamedly expresses a gamut of emotions whilst traversing a number of styles.
The album takes its name from the first line of the opening track This House Is On Fire, which as far as statements go is bold. It is an earnest piece depicting a struggle undertaken towards self-discovery (a recurring theme of the album). The song’s second verse hit me hard because I too have hit town to try to escape. Just like Cosgrove, it was on the cards literally and figuratively.
Where This House Is On Fire is ‘traditional’ indie-fare, 2007 is the album’s first foray into an extended palate. From the dance-inspired drum machine beat to the Hammond Organ-esque keys, to the eerie backing vocals it is a stirring mixture of elements
Throughout the album – and as it was initially Cosgrove by herself it should come as no surprise – the lynchpin is Sarah Cosgrove. Her voice can be yearning and the next moment it can be dripping with grief. It’s not just that though. The bonds she shares with her bandmates (including her sibling) means that they all have trust in each other. To take Cosgrove’s words and bring in their own ideas to create incredible songs. How else could Ctlr end with a coda inspired by a music box and end with a crash of guitars?
Overgrown, released as the third single in the run up to the album’s release, mixes reflection on personal growth with some Nile Rogers style funky guitar licks
Whilst at times the subject matter, whether referenced directly or obliquely referenced, can be dark or haunting (I find that a lot here can be interpreted as references to struggles with mental ill health – but that is quite possibly my own subjectivity coming to the fore – I have many-a-time mentioned on my show I am one of the 1 in 4) there is always a sense of optimism, a sense of hope. Handbrake is an example of this. Cosgrove sings:
Running from the things that I am running from
I know, it’s wrong
Yeah I think that this is the beginning of the end
Let’s go
The “Let’s go” is a conviction to moving on.
The album is so good that I even like the use of the vocoder in No Reasons (I’ve hated it with a passion since Cher) because it is used to great effect.
Closing track I Love All My Friends ends the album on a positive note; the transformation of the lyrics from a negative standpoint to a positive on is a stroke of genius. Using only part of the lyrics:
Nine lives, I’m on five
Is it worth the pain to feel alive?
I cannot be here
I cannot be here
As sung first, it is very much on the ‘down’ side of things; as sung the second time it is very much an affirmation of being in the here-and-now, not the past (and passed) ‘here’. There are also two lovely touches at the end. Firstly, I love all my friends is a truly beautiful sentiment. As someone I love and who loves me said recently, friends are the family you choose. Secondly, the piano at the end is the same (almost) as that heard on This House Is On Fire, bringing Is It Too Late To Freak Out full circle.
Late in the year Low Girl have made a run for consideration to be included in Album of The Year lists. It would be wise of you to check out Is It Too Late To Freak Out as soon as possible.
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All words by Adam Brady, who hosts The Adam Brady Show on Louder Than War Radio. You can find his author’s archive here
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