From the Brink to the Breakout: The Powerful, Personal Story of Cookie

Every so often, a song arrives that stops me dead in my tracks. It’s not just the sound or the production, but an intangible weight—an honesty so profound it demands your full attention. That was my first experience with “Blame,” the debut single from the enigmatic artist Cookie. With its commanding, atmospheric sound—a fusion of alternative metal, gothic undertones, and a distinct industrial edge—it was an immediate and obvious fit for the Gillsaw Stew playlist. As a curator, I review hundreds of songs every month. It is incredibly rare for me to declare any single track my "favorite song," but for the past month, I've listened to "Blame" more than any other song in my vast catalog. It’s a testament to its raw power and artistry. As I connected with the artist, I discovered a story of survival and the sheer power of music as a lifeline. I am honored to feature Cookie in the first artist spotlight on the BeatsLab Jukebox.

The Sound of Survival

To understand Cookie’s music, you have to understand the incredibly diverse palette he draws from. At its core is a clear love for the early 2000s, but the inspirations are far broader and more complex than any single genre.

“Without a doubt, Evanescence has been my biggest influence... But I draw inspiration from everywhere. You might be able to hear the Arabic influence at the beginning of 'Blame', or in the background vocals of 'Slide'. I also grew up on 90's/00's RnB and hip-hop, so the beats are definitely inspired by the producers of that time (e.g., Timbaland and Darkchild).”

Stream “Slide” on your favorite platform.

But it’s the atmosphere that truly sets his music apart—a haunting, distant quality that feels both grand and deeply intimate. For me, these songs inspire a sense of deep internal connection and self-reflection. That feeling comes from the sounds in the music itself, but when I truly paid attention to the lyrics, that depth went even deeper. Cookie explains where this atmosphere comes from:

“The atmosphere, however, is a result of my love for the opera and Gregorian chants. I'm a sucker for anything even remotely haunting or dark... I've tried to pull in some of those elements into my tracks, so I'm glad to know it translated well.”

Art as a Lifeline

For many artists, songwriting is a craft. For Cookie, it was a necessity—a desperate act of self-preservation that became the foundation of his entire project.

“Unfortunately (or fortunately) each of my songs were born in a moment of absolute desperation. I always turned to songwriting when I was at the bottom and felt like I had no hope left... I never even intended to turn it into music; I was just using it as a lifeline.”

This process began with "Blame," written under the most harrowing of circumstances.

Stream “Blame” on your favorite platform.

“I wrote it the night I planned to make a very permanent, very irreversible decision. I was trying to distract myself from putting those plans into motion... Writing that song showed me that I could write as an escape.”

It’s an act of vulnerability that is profoundly admirable, especially for a man in a world that often conditions us to keep these struggles inside. Too many people suffer in silence. It is my sincere hope that these songs find their way to anyone who needs to hear them.

The One-Man Army

What makes Cookie’s journey even more remarkable is that he does it all himself. From the first lyric to the final mix, every sound is a product of his singular vision and relentless work ethic, a passion sparked into action by a pivotal moment.

“In 2023, I attended the Evanescence concert on a whim... I remember standing by the stage as Amy was singing, and asking myself what was stopping me from being on that stage too. That was literally all the spark I needed.”

The Road to Redemption

This music has a raw humanity that you don't hear often. This is art created for the artist first and foremost. I truly believe the most powerful art comes from this kind of pure, personal expression. The ultimate theme of Cookie’s music is one of redemption, a message he hopes will give others the strength to hold on.

“Ultimately, the theme is one of redemption. I want people to recognise that there is genuinely something better on the other side... Hopefully my music gives people enough strength to hold on until the change comes.”

With eight more singles already lined up for release, the journey is just beginning. I am a firm believer that Cookie is bound for something great, and I am thrilled to have connected with him at this very early stage. I cannot recommend this music enough; it is true art.

Consider me a fan.