Crack Rock by Crack Rock

It has been over a decade since Anthony Mills created his most celebrated project, Wildcookie. Filled with joints like "Heroine" and "Serious Drug," the project broke into numerous radio playlists, including Gilles Peterson's show, turning those tracks into underground hits. The Cookie Dough album captured listeners' hearts worldwide, and even after all these years, it remains a favorite on streaming platforms. Fourteen years after that success, Anthony Mills makes his long-awaited return, teaming up with Marek “Latarnik” Pędziwiatr to create Crack Rock—a bold evolution of the Wildcookie legacy.

The warm, jazzy beats centered around the Fender Rhodes sound, a hallmark of Wildcookie, have given way in Crack Rock to compositions rooted in the 1980s, crafted by Marek Pędziwiatr. The keyboardist of bands like EABS, Błoto, and Zima Stulecia, Pędziwiatr fully utilized his extensive collection of synthesizers. Together with Anthony Mills, Marek Pędziwiatr delved into the nuances of the yacht rock genre during their studio sessions, drawing inspiration from icons like Fleetwood Mac and Michael McDonald. They retained the genre's essence: high production quality, clean vocals, and a focus on light, catchy melodies. Eventually, their love for experimentation has led them into unfamiliar territory. The final result turned out vastly different from their initial vision—yacht rock began to crack and fray at the seams. Thus, Crack Rock was born, accompanied by a clever play on words.

A multilayered play on words is Anthony Mills’ hallmark, and the band’s name not only nods to the genre but also delves deeper into the themes found on the album. As the vocalist shares: “I listened to the song Crack on repeat. It brought me to tears more than once. Growing up in the crack era was incredibly painful. The PTSD I endured has now become a powerful source of inspiration for me.”

The challenging backdrop against which Anthony Mills paints his stories gives the songs about love and human relationships a far-from-perfect edge. His music embodies a sense of “cold love”—a unique kind of feeling that lures you in with its charm and splendor, only to reveal itself as destructive. Yet, you keep coming back for more. This love is contagious, intensely addictive—just like another hit of crack.

Exploring this addictive state also became the central theme in the collaboration of the Crack Rock duo, transforming into a multidimensional sonic landscape. Beneath the surface of light, catchy songs lie serious, pain-laden themes hidden in metaphor. “I see this album as therapy, as well as a testament to the magic we create in the studio. Our creative process is a mysterious blend of musical mastery and deep, layered conversations about life. For me, it feels like soul cleansing,” says Marek Pędziwiatr.

The album will be released by Astigmatic Records in digital format, CD, and vinyl, with two editions—a standard and a limited version. The visual concept is crafted by the label’s longtime collaborator, Animisiewasz, seamlessly blending Michał Żytniak’s distinctive artwork with the captivating photography of Alicja Lesiak. Pre-orders start on February 7, with the album’s release scheduled for March 7, 2025.

Crack Rock are Latarnik and Anthony Mills. They delved into the nuances of the yacht rock genre during their studio sessions, drawing inspiration from icons like Fleetwood Mac and Michael McDonald. They retained the genre's essence: high production quality, clean vocals, and a focus on light, catchy melodies. Eventually, their love for experimentation has led them into unfamiliar territory.