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Cousin Betty Finds Promise in ‘Taxes & Death’

By Margaret Adams

This reading of Alchemical Records content provides a multimedia experience for our audience while increasing the accessibility of our content to persons with hearing loss, low vision, dyslexia, physical or motor disabilities, or are on the autism spectrum.

“Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,” said Benjamin Franklin. 

Cousin Betty’s new single expertly recalls Franklin’s idea with a new single, “Taxes & Death,” for their upcoming album. This true rock song, released on January 10, utilizes hard electric guitar and choppy, energetic vocals to emphasize the message that there’s only two things in life that are sure for every human: taxes and death. 

The song is a short listen at 1:42, but it certainly packs a punch. Cousin Betty wrote and recorded the single despite all five members being physically apart due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The song elicits a feeling reminiscent of protest songs of the early 2000s; fired up and angry, the band looks to prominent members in the music community only to be disappointed. 

“‘Taxes & Death’ is the blistering, nihilistic taste of their punchier side. Having learned the mistakes of signing to inactive and selfish record labels, here they are; agitated, aggressive, refined and focused,” the band said. 

Fans of Bring Me the Horizon, Penny Dreadful, and Metallica should check out Cousin Betty’s new single. “Taxes & Death” is available on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer. 

Follow our Alchemical Weekly Spotify Playlist for more great music featured on the site.

Margaret Adams, Contributing Writer at Alchemical Records

Margaret Adams

Margaret Adams is a Psychology major and Rhetoric and Writing minor at The Catholic University of America from New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to her work with Alchemical, she writes for CUA’s student newspaper, The Tower, and has recently been named Quill Editor. She enjoys reading, writing, and looking at pictures of her dog, Bella.

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