New Music: Slow Cooked – “Vest Poets”: London’s Cello-Driven Post-Punk Vision Comes to Life

Slow Cooked is the solo project of Louie Barby, a classically trained cellist and composer originally from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, who relocated to London in 2019. Louie merges cello, electronic production, and post-punk energy, crafting a sound that balances experimental edge with raw emotional themes. As a key figure in London’s avant-garde scene, Slow Cooked builds dense yet vibrant soundscapes— weaving classical instrumentation into the grit of underground music. His live performances, often featuring looped cello and tight polyrhythms, showcase a unique collision of sophistication and warehouse-ready intensity.

Released on June 13, 2025, “Vest Poets” is the latest single reflecting Slow Cooked’s signature blend of cello-driven textures and dark, introspective lyricism. The track opens with tense, anxious breathing and a ringing atmosphere, before looping layers of cello, bass, and drums into a hypnotic groove. Lyrically, Louie confronts internet culture and curated identities, evoking lines like “Death Scroll… Coca Cola… Mental Health” while critiquing performative authenticity. With production by Adele Phillips and mixing by Louie himself, the song stands as a polished yet visceral statement—melding classical instrumentation with punk urgency. A surreal music video, featuring Louie joining a Vin Diesel cult, underscores its satirical bite.

Band Page: https://www.instagram.com/slowcookedlou/?hl=en