The K’s - ‘I Wonder if The World Knows’ review
The K’s
The K’s released their highly anticipated debut album I Wonder if The World Knows on Friday 5th April. The album shares the experiences of an average lad, including nights out and heartbreak. The album features a mix of old and new songs while remaining true to the band's indie roots.
The opening song “Icarus” takes many journeys, and is a perfect embodiment of what's to come on The K’s debut album. From distorted noise to mythological strings to fast drums, the song is a risky but bold statement that pays off. Linking a night out with Greek mythology is a brave move, but the sharp parallels in the songwriting make "Icarus" a brilliant introduction to the album. The K's have returned to their indie roots in their latest single, "Heart On My Sleeve". The quick-paced vocals are accompanied by roaring guitars, coming together to create a unique love song. The heart-rending lyrics contrast with the upbeat backing, but in a way that complements each aspect of the song, allowing them to coexist. The track is a perfect example of the band's comfort in their craft and showcases the best of their music. With each song, The K's continue to grow stronger.
Fans are no strangers to “Chancer”. With its initial release last year, listeners have had the chance to indulge in this upbeat track. I found this to be the weakest track on the album, this is not to say the song is weak in itself, I just don't think it aligns with the album's structure as well as other songs on the album.
"Throw It All Away" is a poignant portrayal of feeling lost and disconnected from oneself, and the desire to escape from a place that no longer feels like home - a sentiment that many listeners can relate to. This song reveals a more vulnerable side of the album, in contrast to the previous tracks about partying and having fun. Despite the upbeat tempo, the pain and raw emotion in singer Jamie's voice is palpable, particularly in the chorus. His passion for the song is evident, and his delivery is truly admirable.
Listeners are greeted by mellow piano and soft vocals on “Lights Go Down”, which is a pleasant change in tempo compared to other tracks on the album. The song expresses a surge of emotions and the various ways one can react to them, with its fluctuation between soft and agonizing vocals. Unlike slower songs from other bands that are often lost within an album, "Lights Go Down" is remarkably memorable and perfectly placed after "Throw It All Away". The guitar solos in the song are impressive and complement the sensitivity of the track, giving it life and inspiring it to continue.
"Hometown" is a genre-bending track that stands out as an indie powerhouse on the album. The K's demonstrate their ability to create catchy songs once again, with the song's constantly changing tempo building up excitement and creating an atmospheric sound that is sure to be a hit when performed live. Similar to "Heart On My Sleeve," this track showcases the best of The K's and proves that they are truly talented at what they do.
A rustic drum solo erupts into electric guitars towards the start of “Landmines”, showcasing the mature sound of the debut album. This consistent change of tempo throughout previous tracks is proving to be a success, with singer Jamie often experimenting with vocals and doing so, well. Things are brought to a sudden halt, during “Hoping Maybe,” with its delicate nature and sentimental lyrics, evoking a sense of openness that hasn’t been visible previously. However, this does not mean that the album has been slowed down. The intervention of drums and guitar regularly reignites the song, returning the band to their signature sound.
Indie sleaze is making a comeback, and songs like "No Place Like Home" are leading the charge. This track is reminiscent of early Hard-Fi and takes us back to the mid/late 2000s with just the press of a play button. It's an exciting and thrilling track that stands out as the best on the album. The vocals are amplified by the excellent instrumentals, which create a raw, exhilarating sound. Although it's been said before, It's safe to say that this track will sound even better when performed live to the masses. The instrumental tracks on the album "Black and Blue" are light and summery, which creates a sharp contrast to the violent themes present in other parts of the track. Despite the darker lyrics, there is still a humorous tone that complements the overall aesthetic of the album, which is centred around looking back at this laddish behaviour.
"Circles" is one of the safer songs on the album. While it's a good song overall, I feel that it got lost within the album’s structure. The album’s final track is incredibly unique and stands out as one of its best. “Valley One” is a glorious closing curtain to the album, evoking feelings of the end of a heavy night out with friends and the snapback into reality. The rerelease of the track is a poignant sentiment due to the growth of the band, and with the impending success of their debut album, this growth is set to continue.
I Wonder if The World Knows is an impressive debut album from The K's. Their evolved sound is a great direction that will undoubtedly be admired at their upcoming shows. The album features indie powerhouses that are destined to be performed to large crowds. The band regularly escape their comfort zone with slower songs, settling down the pace of the album, and then kicking off right where they left off.
I Wonder if The World Knows from The K’s is out now via LAB Records and available on all good streaming platforms. Catch them on tour across the UK this April and May.
