Sometimes you have to go looking for music to discover something you might otherwise never hear.
KIK’s LOW KIK is exactly the kind of EP that makes the search worthwhile. It’s a really fun six-song release that has me excited to hear what this band does next. There’s a lot to like here, and even though the music generally stays within the world of alternative rock, shoegaze, and indie rock, they find plenty of ways to change things up along the way.
“3333” gets things started with a wonderfully dreamy, psychedelic atmosphere. There’s a little Radiohead meets Spacemen 3 vibe to this one. It has some really terrific noisy guitar work. The drumming is especially fun, and the whole thing is a masterful display of musicianship within this style of rock. The lyrics give the impression of someone trying to get to the truth and understand what’s really going on inside someone else’s head.
Things get a little bigger and chunkier with “Sun,” which moves into a more anthemic alternative-rock sound. There’s a mid-2000s indie-rock quality to it, with a brighter melody, bigger vocals, and even a little 80s-style guitar during the bridge. The song also introduces something that pops up throughout the EP: the vocals move between Korean and English. Or, Korenglish. (Trademark pending).
“piece of peace” takes another turn, moving into a brighter, dreamier sound that blends shoegaze textures with a more conventional pop-rock approach. It’s a really fun change of pace, with the collaboration with Thai duo Dept adding another dimension to the song. There’s a warmth to this one that makes it stand out from the heavier material around it.
The guitars get a little harder on “DIAMOND,” although that dreamy, shoegazy quality is still there. The drumming is fantastic, really driving the song forward as it builds into something that feels like an anthem. There’s a strong sense of resilience in the lyrics, with the imagery of diamond hearts and eyes suggesting a group of people who aren’t going to give up or abandon what they believe in. It’s got a great energy to it.
“bella” brings back some of the hazier qualities of the earlier songs. There’s a psychedelic feel to the instrumentation, and the vocals almost seem to sink into the music rather than sit on top of it. The song has a nice pop structure underneath all that dreaminess, while the lyrics explore the confusion and emotional attachment that can come with an impossible love. It’s a little softer and more vulnerable, but still has plenty going on musically.
Closing things out, “Close” brings together a lot of what makes this EP so enjoyable. It’s another fun rock song, with a big power-pop vibes and plenty of dreamy touches around the edges. The Korean and English vocals make another appearance, and the full, layered sound gives the song a real sense of size.
What really stands out about LOW KIK is the musicianship. The drumming throughout is just out of this world, and I love the layered guitar work and the way the band builds such a full, encompassing sound. There’s a lot of variety here, but the songs all feel like they belong together. It’s a really enjoyable discovery, and I’m excited to hear what KIK comes up with next.
Verdict: Good
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