Listen to ... KickBoy – Portland from Streetview
Bristolian cross-punk trio fly high with debut. Yes, cross-punk – did I stutter?
Image credit: KickBoy press pack
A debut single can be a daunting prospect for even the most prepared bands; it’s your first and only opportunity to establish your musical identity and snag listeners from the off.
KickBoy have flourished, not floundered, at the opportunity to make an impact with their debut indie-pop offering. Though their own identifier as a ‘cross-punk’ band is much more fitting.
Recorded and mixed by Conor Kearney – guitarist of like-minded indie upstarts Home Counties – ‘Portland from Streetview’ makes an immediate impression. Don your best headphones, then compare the tune to some of Home Counties’ top singles, and the similarities are clear: the track certainly benefits from Kearney’s efforts.
That’s not to detract from the trio’s stellar efforts. The main weapon in KickBoy’s arsenal is the sharp contrast offered in the track’s presentation: pairing a dark subject matter with bright and punchy instrumentation – that captures your attention, while the excellent mix maintains it.
The band convinced me that, unlike many indie upstarts, their identity is clear and distinct. It’s a vision that marries well with the track, which dives straight into a laid-back, half-tempo depiction of the everyday through the eyes of a recovering addict.
Even from an introductory listen, the themes of the track are clear: anxiety, isolation and an abstract, detached stream of consciousness that carries the song’s narrative. Without overstaying its welcome, the trio then transition to a gritty, predominantly dance-rock second half, more akin to their post-punk heroes – such as IDLES and Parquet Courts.
Particularly for a debut, ‘Portland from Streetview’ is an easy listen: a well-paced, succinct track with plenty of unique hooks to demand – then maintain – your attention; and one that could easily fool you into believing the band had a few more members to hand.
Keep an eye on KickBoy’s socials – particularly their Instagram – to see when they’re next on stage. And while you’re round that neck of the digital woods, check out our own picture-perfect profile, too.