Beach Sloth

KIDS - Cloud Island 7.7

             Ah, it has been a while since I last heard KIDS put out anything. I think it was last summer. Summer appears to be the KIDS’ favorite season. ‘Cloud Island’ confirms that the sunlight adds something to their work. With this release they appear to hone some of their songwriting skills. Songs feel a little tighter than my last encounter. They sound more confident in what they’re doing. Oddly this attention to detail doesn’t detract from the careening free spirit they appear to channel from California’s many beaches. 

                ‘Prelude’ is a tease. I like the tease though. What’s funny is the teased track is the closer. Glad they have a good sense of humor about these things. The title track shows them building up a stronger, more muscular form of rock. Love the vocals. They are so positively sweet. His blurred, slightly unclear vocals make it feel a bit more live and a bit less boxed in. My by far favorite track is also the longest. On ‘Drift’ they have their best moments on the entire EP. Each section of the song works off the last idea. This works out well for them, sounding like some kind of constantly evolving party. Drums on here are pretty song; I like the percussion on here quite a bit. The drummer seems to drive the whole song on here with everybody else following along. Usually it’s the other way around but here it gives the song an additional sense of power. 

                Really pleased with how they’ve changed for the better on this EP. ‘Cloud Island’ is a blast of a EP.