Kings of Leon

American rockers, Kings of Leon are back!

The Followill Four formed in Nashville, and have been going strong for 25 years. This musically talented band of brothers consists of: Caleb (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jared (bass, keyboards) Nathan (drums, percussion) and cousin Matthew (lead guitar, keyboards).

After leaving RCA Records, ‘Can We Please Have Fun’ will be their first album released on LoveTap Records and Capitol Records. With nine albums officially under their belt, they have earned the right to do whatever they want on their latest instalment and, in a seemingly intentional move, have moved even further away from their commercially successful fourth album ‘Only by the Night’ (2008). More importantly, it’s been 3 years, since they released 'When You See Yourself' (2021).

Using the production talents of Kid Harpoon, they have created an understated and honest album that feels good and fairly balanced to listen to. ‘Ballerina Radio’ starts the album sombrely with odd tones and bells, as if waking from a dream. We’re immersed in a surreal ocean of sound with Caleb vocals backed by ethereal synths. We’re pleased to hear the return of simple melodies and modest sensibilities from earlier material, and completely won over by ‘Rainbow Ball’. We love the hypnotic guitar harmonies and syncopated effects. As it’s all methodically arranged with elements of eccentricity, echoing the melody making genius of the Futureheads.

The album is seductive and charming. With an air of infectiously upbeat energy on ‘Nowhere to Run’ and lead single ‘Mustang’ brings home to us the welcome return of their southern drawl storytelling and slick electric sliding sound. We hear some real country twang, on ‘Actual Daydream’, as it’s inflected with vibrato guitar and emotive bluesy melodies. You can feel emotions running deep on this album. Dreamy and thoughtful ‘Split Screen’ unfolds slowly with a welcome sensitivity that lingers on ‘Don’t Stop the Bleeding’, which sounds like a sedated version of Arctic Monkeys’ ‘When The Sun Goes Down’.

Next up are a trio of heavily guitar-driven garage band songs. Starting with ‘Nothing To Do’, Jared’s fast-moving basslines and Matthew’s howling guitar has serious post-punk energy. Peter Hook-ian inspired basslines and tonal guitar effects on ‘M Television’ is an album highlight. Sounding like the 80s, as defined by Joy Division/New Order. ‘Hesitation Gen’ has all the moving parts of a punk band and sounds like a rough diamond on an album of polished gems.

Cooling us down, ‘Ease On Me’ goes back-to-basics and surrenders itself to lazy Sunday vibes. Heavier and very otherworldly (think Stranger Things original soundtrack!), ‘Seen’ makes you feel like your falling into an electric dream. 80s post-rock and synth assimilate its way into your psyche and, as the albums ends on eerie bells, we're taken back to the same bells heard in the beginning. Frankly, the band have clearly done a lot of soul-searching, and this deserves to be listened to with an open mind and heart.

Track list:
1. Ballerina Radio
2. Rainbow Ball
3. Nowhere to Run
4. Mustang
5. Actual Daydream
6. Split Screen
7. Don't Stop the Bleeding
8. Nothing to Do
9. M Television
10. Hesitation Gen
11. Ease Me On
12. Seen