Ok Cowgirl - “Just Friends”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 1

Pairs Well With…Alvvays, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Shannon and the Clams

Ok Cowgirl shares bright indie rock tones on their debut EP Not My First Rodeo and follow-up single “Just Friends”, leaning into Southern rock and alt country influences to give songs a extra coating of warmth. There’s some DIY, garage punk that informs Ok Cowgirl’s sound, not to the point of a riot, but rather just sanding down any Americana leanings to something more gritty and raw. Even though Ok Cowgirl puts forward a country mindset, there aren’t any soft ballads on Not My First Rodeo as she keeps the tempo up and reverb going. Take that away and there may be a sweet country artist here, but Ok Cowgirl smartly subverts that notion into a sound more her own. Ok Cowgirl showcases Thursday night at Continental Club before sets by Altameda and Old Heavy Hands (Kevin McStravick)