New Music: Slow Cooked: London Cellist Blends Punk and Absurdity in "Vest Poets"

Slow Cooked is the solo project of Louie Barby, an experimental cellist and musician based in London. Barby is known for pushing the boundaries of the cello, creating unexpected, sensual, satirical, and suspenseful compositions. His unique sound blends beautiful and dramatic stringscapes with a raw, punky, and muscular energy. Slow Cooked has gained recognition, having supported notable artists such as King Krule, Black Country, New Road, and Katy J Pearson.

"Vest Poets" is a single by Slow Cooked, released on June 13, 2025. The song opens with an unsettling atmosphere, featuring anxious ringing and a raw, heaving vocal delivery from Barby, reminiscent of the intimate punk style of Model/Actriz. However, instead of escalating into a typical punk climax, "Vest Poets" cleverly shifts into a delicate, piano-based bridge, showcasing Barby's versatility and experimental approach.

Lyrically and thematically, the song is noted for balancing absurd humor with a critique of our "absurd scrolling reality." The official music video for "Vest Poets" further amplifies this blend of the bizarre and the thought-provoking, featuring Barby in a bedroom adorned with Vin Diesel paraphernalia, eventually shaving his head and joining a "Fast And Furious" cult. This visual narrative underscores the song's unique blend of the personal, the satirical, and the unexpected.