Eels – 'Cookie Happened' review: sadness, humour and the Cookie Monster
The 16th Eels album is out on October 16. Music magazine XS Noize gives it 4 out of 5: no new sound, but stronger songwriting from Mark Oliver Everett.
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Single video: YouTube · OfficialEels · youtube.com
Single: Cap In Hand
Eels, led by singer-songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, known as E, release their 16th studio album 'Cookie Happened' on E Works/Play It Again Sam on October 16. It follows 'EELS TIME!' (2024) and has twelve songs. The title goes back to a Cookie Monster line: be glad something happened, even when it is over. 'Cap In Hand', 'All Forgotten' and 'I'm On Standby' were released in advance.
Northern Irish music magazine XS Noize gives it 4 out of 5. The album mixes sadness, acceptance and humour: opener 'Clobbered' sounds bright and upbeat despite its subject – hitting rock bottom. In 'One Razzle, One Dazzle' Everett recalls advice from his father, while the string-laden 'I'm On Standby' is among the strongest tracks.
Everett does not reinvent the Eels sound, the review concludes, but his storytelling has grown stronger. The result is a warm, thoughtful album that never feels crushing despite its serious themes.