Following on from last summer’s series of acclaimed surf-rock singles Johnny Kills emerge for the first time in 2018 with new tune ‘Who’s Counting?’ Out via Killing Moon (Annabel Allum, Beach Riot). The band have earned champions including BBC Introducing, The Line of Best Fit, DORK, Indie Shuffle and The Metroplus dozens more tastemaker radio stations and blogs with their flair for delivering scuzzy pop off-cuts. The trio are made up of Tim, biological brother Lewis Lloyd-Kinnings and spiritual brother Cameron Gipp and aiding them in bringing their tracks to an acceptable auditory standard is Leeds based producer and Forever Cult bassist Alex Greaves (TRASH, PLAZA, Seeing Hands) on production and mixing duties, with Pete Maher (Pixies, Lana Del Rey, Scisso Sisters) on mastering.
‘Who’s Counting?’ is a glittering glam dazzling indie pop anthem laced with flashing sonic slaps over a sticky beat and fuzzed guitar jingles. Johnny Kills blast out an infectious danceable number that surges with youthful adrenaline doused in an 80’s -esque sparkle of glitter and glam all while packing in a healthy dose of punch. Glorious whines on guitar add a lamenting sharp sting to this vivid stomping track while wonky vocal hooks give a unique sing along friendly quality. It’s scuzzy in all the right places with dark sonic flecks swirling murky tones into the verses before the dynamic pop sprinkled chorus lifts the track into a feathery light bouncy anthem. This track is well crafted as each element brings a new rich texture and vibrancy – the guitars bring us the indie, moody, lamenting vibes with a shrilling spikiness while the buoyant beat, luscious melody and sonic swirls add a tasty blend of sugar sweet pop into the mix, and those vocals, just sublime and refreshing. It’s an adrenaline rush and such a thrill to listen to.
“It’s about meeting a great new person and ridiculously overthinking every aspect that this entails, internally focusing on this quasi-freak-out rather than enjoying and appreciating the new relationship for what it is” claims vocalist and songwriter Tim Lloyd-Kinnings, “Thinking ‘oh bloody hell, what’s happening here? –this can’t be good’ rather than ‘oh, isn’t this great?”
Stream ‘Who’s Counting?’ below
