EP REVIEW
23/02/2025 - KINGSFOOL, BARK
Source: Kingsfool EP Bark Imagery.
Words By Emily Jade Ricalton
Formed by two friends, Guillame and James Prosser, Kingsfool are a young and fresh psychedelic-inspired band. With the duo creating their first EP in Guillame’s bedroom, the band take on a pop and indie sound to their music that can easily be described as bedroom pop. With the band forming in Tokyo, they're definitely a pair to watch out for.
The EP itself starts off with a track called Bark, which evidently introduces itself into a range of bark sounds. The title track of the EP shares a similar sound to Australian psychedelic bands, such as Sticky Fingers. Prossers’ vocals stay within a monotone range, one of which has a likeliness to Dylan Frost. Bark is short, yet sweet. It sets the EP up perfectly and gives us a great insight into the sound of Kingsfool.
The following track, Kisses, stays on this psychedelic motif that tends to be prominent throughout the EP. It has this raw and distorted guitar that is soothing, yet also slightly uncomfortable. Similar to Bark, the guitar used on both tracks is highly reminiscent to Tame Impala’s early work. Songs, such as Sundown Syndrome, come to mind when listening to both tracks.
Slower and more melodic, Rain is a calming track. The song itself has an underlying romantic element to its lyrics. For example, Prosser sings ‘Rain, could you come and sleep again?’. These lyrics give a sense of longing, almost as if a lover is waiting for their partner to come back to them. Rain adds a break into the EP, one which is relaxing and overall just nice to listen to. It truly is the perfect track to listen to on a rainy day - if you pardon the pun.
After this, we take a pause from the lyrical side of the EP, and progress into the interlude track don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back. With a long song title, we get an element of arrogance that can easily be compared to The 1975. However, this 50-second break is well-crafted and beautifully made. The guitar is progressive and elegant. It is truly impressive for a band that is just starting out.
With this, Bark then continues onto its final two songs. Bye bye and Puddle of mud. Reminiscent of Soundgarden’s Blackhole Sun, Bye bye has an extremely strong introduction to the track. With a distorted guitar that almost winds throughout the song, it is mysterious, yet captivating. Elements of which stereotypically make psychedelic music so enjoyable.
Kingsfool are definitely an act to watch out for. With a sound that can be compared to artists, such as Tame Impala and Jack Berry, the duo are paving the way for an emerging psychedelic scene to start somewhere other than Australia. With short tracks throughout the EP, Bark is definitely easy to listen to. It provides a short break from everyday life, and is definitely a piece that you could easily get lost in. I personally cannot wait to see what the band release next.
Tracks to Listen to - don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back, Rain
Rating - 5/5
