Getting on for 18 months or so back I reviewed an EP called “Very Cool And Groovy” by a South Coast duo.
Aptly named it was too and I concluded at the end of that review back in the summer of 2017 that “there are many reasons to be excited about Puppet Kings”.
Well now they’re back. Via a move to Clapham, and a further string of stellar support slots behind them (to go with those they had already received) and they’re back with a four tracker which confirms that excitement was moat certainly not misplaced in any way.
This is big sounding, modern rock, with a modern social conscience. The last one took apart fascism, this one while this one kicks off with “The Message”, a pounding bass heavy groover, which is probably something they learned while supporting Royal Blood, but the hookline “we worship cash like a God, while all that matters is love” sees Thomas Cochrane (who handles both bass and guitar) fairly spit the lines out.
The title track is perhaps even better. An almost disco stomper with just a hint or two of “Miss You” era Stones, it is an example of the fact that – just like the aforementioned Royal Blood – PK know their way around a chorus you can hum. “This echo chamber’s a trap” offers Cochrane here, and it seems he is directing his ire this time at social media. “My finger hovers over clickbait, taken in by a parasite.”
Interesting political standpoints abound, actually, which is hard to do without being a singer-songwriter. “Age Of Austerity” chugs along with a dark riff, but there is a real pop sensibility here too.
“Bag Of Bones” – musically at least – is lighter and more airy to begin with, before it works its way into a frenzy. This one shows that Puppet Kings don’t necessarily take their cues from anywhere else – and like many two-piece bands they are content instead to plough their own furrow.
After a couple of EP’s as good as these, it will be interesting to see what is next for Puppet Kings. They’ve got everything you need to make it. Just like that other band I’ve mentioned a couple of times that went from opening for Turbowolf to Arena’s in the space of three years.
They are a two piece from Brighton as well. Just saying.
Rating 8.5/10
