Black Kids

Black Kids, a Floridian five-piece, have been riding enormous waves of hype since their successful performances at various small festivals and showcases in 2007. They’ve been particularly busy in 2008 here in London. They were met with great excitement at Brick Lane’s 93 Feet East on February 1st. They’re supporting Kate Nash tonight at the Hammersmith Apollo, co-headlining The Kings Cross on the 19th with Metronomy, and they’ve got two sold out gigs at the Institute of Contemporary Arts this week on the 12th and 13th.

They’re debut single, 'I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You,' will be released on April 7th. It’s a familiar sound, with low, understated guitars strumming continuously, and a Robert Smith like bellow coming high over the top. The girls in the group add peppy backing, but they can’t over come the song’s weak song writing.

'You are the girl that I've been dreaming of ever since I was a little girl.'

Lead singer Reggie Youngblood plays the ever fashionable card of androgyny, but I can’t think of another recent instance when it has been done with such little creativity and conviction.

It’s a fun tune, but a good deal over blown for all the hoop-la surrounding its release. I think it will be just catchy enough to spur on the feeding frenzy of online excitement, but I’m not sure it’s all deserved. We’ll have to wait for the release of their currently in the works debut full length’s.