The K's

The K's are back with their much-anticipated sophomore record, Pretty On The Internet, and it doesn't let up for a second. This is a group that has carved out a definite sonic identity in a genre that's seeing a full-blown renaissance at the moment; especially with Oasis's recent cultural comeback. With quickfire, almost spoken-word lyrics that border on rap, The K's bring indie rock a fresh, frantic voice.

The album starts with ‘Before I Hit The Floor’, a propulsive opener that dives headfirst, tackling themes of anxiety and modern digital life. With its lightning-fast vocals and lyrics that confront the anxiety and paralysis of our online lives, it introduces the album's overriding theme: identity in the age of constant comparison. It's a frenetic, energizing start that instantly sets the tone. Track two, ‘Rat Poison’, picks up the baton with even more ferocity. Lyrics that are biting and pugilistic; delivery in-your-face and relentless. What's intriguing here is the contrast between the song's emotional weight and its upbeat tempo. Most bands pair this kind of aggression with brooding or dark sounds, but The K's do the exact opposite - filling it with a ska-tinged brilliance that somehow enhances the punch. It's the sonic equivalent of running through a wall with a grin on your face.

You can hear how much The K's have grown in confidence as songwriters throughout this album. There is a distinct subtlety in their melodic awareness; an enjoyment of precisely when to emphasize a hook. The best example is ‘The Bends (Here We Go Again)’,where the snarling hook "We talk, then don't talk, then you call" is performed with a swagger and attitude. It's a hook that grabs, and the band knows that; riding in over the melody but never letting go of their angsty sound.

The K’s are used to providing extremely fast paced storytelling; and with that comes learning the ability of telling a rather descriptive story in a short space of time to fit everything you need into a verse. Combine that with the slower moments of the record and what you get is a real picturesque story that takes you on a journey from start to finish. One of the lead singles from this record, ‘Helen, Oh I’ is a great example of this, and provides a story that is balanced well by slower, more reflective sequences, and overall the work has the feel of narrative progression that's very close to cinematic, with the opening lines of:

‘So I left the Boys In Germany
I went and got a flight on my own
Said I’ve gotta go
Meet up down the road’

It leaves nothing to the imagination, which in this instance feels and works great, and it’s something that The K’s have done well for quite some time. The album closes in similar vain with the track ‘Perfect Haunting’ which is no doubt the most vulnerable they’ve ever sounded. A piano and strings accompaniment, and a song about loving someone and being there even in the afterlife. It’s an amazing album closer, and just shows how comfortable the K’s are with being vulnerable.

This is a record that oozes confidence, identity, and displays a band that are really hitting their stride. The K’s are about to embark on festival season, with appearances at ‘Ynot’ and ‘Hardwick’ followed by a tour in September. Sit back and enjoy the rise of this excellent band.