Hailing from Earlestown, in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens in Merseyside, The K’s, James Boyle (vocals/guitar), Ryan Breslin (guitar/keyboards), Dexter Baker (bass) and Nathan Peers (drums) are one of the UK’s fastest rising indie bands of the moment and release their debut album `I Wonder If The World Knows` this month. They have supported the likes of Liam Gallagher and Blondie, sold out the Manchester Academy and are now looking forward to taking their debut to Main Stages of Reading and Leeds this Summer.
We are introduced to the album with `Icarus` who was one of the most famous tragic figures in Greek mythology, as his story highlights the dangers of excessive pride. It begins gently with an echoing synth like note and a string arrangement before bursting to life with rapidly shared vocals over an enticing fast paced backing. A cracking number to almost ease us in on. There`s an anthemic texture to `Heart On My Sleeve` a candid and honest reflection of the frontman`s tendency to self-destruct or push people away whenever any feelings of insecurity or vulnerability surface. A song which soars as the singer shares his deeply emotional vulnerabilities.
`Chancer` is a first person account of finding drunken solace in a private members’ club after being stranded in an unfamiliar city and the events that ensued. A pulsating number with all sorts of hooks to draw you in. Shimmering guitar riffs and a pounding drum beat lead us into and through `Throw It All Away` a song that is quite introspective and maybe a little contemplative and self-searching without becoming moralistic.
`Lights Go Down` is a ballad-like offering initially stripped back with just a piano before drums , bass and guitar join and really flesh it out. We have a gradual build-up in power and volume with `Hometown` a tale of somebody from your birthplace who seems to have little purpose in life except for taking stimulants to cloud reality for a time.
`Landmines` is another thumper that races along and ponders on the youthful or adolescent mischief and shenanigans that a gang of lads tend to get up to with little income between them. I did have a wry smile when `Frosty Jack` was mentioned, a cider, sadly made in my hometown that was the beverage of choice when I volunteered and supported vulnerable homeless adults. We have a fairly deep anthemic number with `Hoping Maybe` about being lost not just physically but maybe mentally and emotionally as well. A number made for lighters and lit phones in a stadium.
`No Place Like Home` I read is a story of the weekly occurrence of anxiety and panic attacks every Sunday. Starting with an initial feeling of confusion as to why your body feels like it’s fighting to survive closely followed by the panic that sets in as you retrace your steps through the night before. A track where the rapid pulse of the musical accompaniment mirrors the unease and fear shared in the lyrical content. Glistening guitar riffs lay a platform for `Black & Blue` a number that tells the challenging and tough characters to be avoided when growing up in a small town or the inevitable consequences that can occur if you don`t succeed.
`Circles` is another gleaming earworm that appears to be about constantly making the same mistakes rather than accepting solid parental advice. The album closes with `Valley One` a meditative and contemplative musing on what seems to be a relationship or romance that seems to have run its course and reluctantly accepting the inevitable. The strings that are subtly sprinkled and shared towards the end add a further poignancy to this final number.
I have to say that I thought `I Wonder If The World Knows` was a superb listen and was really astonished that it was the quartet`s debut album. There are some delightfully memorable and appealing tunes with words that come from a place that you wouldn`t expect. The lyrics expressed appear to be from somebody who has a wise head on young shoulders and bodes well for the future.
The question the album title asks is `I Wonder If The World Knows` and I`m sure after its release, they certainly will.
Rating 9 /10
