The K’s wasted no time when it came to producing their second studio album, announcing its release just 7 months after their debut hit the shelves, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. It’s clear to see that the Warrington natives have established their own sound; however, ‘Pretty On The Internet’ contains some of their most experimental tunes to date.
The third song on the album and the first single to be released, ‘Breakdown In My Bedroom’ pays homage to their usual sound and is instantly recognisable as The K’s, with vocals reminiscent of an almost pop-punk sound due to the pronunciation and elongation of certain words, albeit whilst never losing their classic indie spirit. Relatable as ever with lyrics such as ‘I’ve made some mistakes, it’s my first time existing’, it’s easy to see yourself within the songs; being able to relate so closely to many of their lyrics brings a feeling of closeness to the band, which is already reflected across their fan base and will continue to be so.
‘Helen, Oh, I’ is one of the more experimental, beginning with soft violins leading into a ballad style song which really showcases singer Jamie’s vocals; a stripped back number with gentle guitar and pianos throughout that come together at the end to give an orchestral feel. ‘33 Heads’ feels in the same league as this, with what sounds like a choir harmonising in the beginning and throughout, later picking up in pace with the drums being the star of the show, as well as heart on sleeve lyrics like “Sometimes I don’t know if I’ll make it through the evening, I don’t care if I do.”
So many of the band’s catalogue make you imagine belting it out in the middle of a crowd at a huge headline show, and ‘Sold It, Own It’ is no exception to this. Many moments are given to each individual musician across the entirety of the record, giving them the chance to really show listeners exactly what they’re capable of creating. ‘Running Away Now’ is another deeply personal song about mental health, how it’s seen and dealt with, as well as coming to terms with the reality of life – another example of something listeners can really identify with, especially with the world we’re living in right now.
The penultimate song on the album ‘Gravestone’ feels like a slightly heavier indie sound than the rest, with vocals sounding deeper and darker than previous, alluding once again to a wider spectrum of capability from the band – they’re leaving no stone unturned. In saying that, it’s quite the contrast to the closing number, ‘Perfect Haunting’, which is exactly as it sounds. Another ballad with violins and piano being the predominant instruments, once again giving way to powerful vocals.
A lot of bands tend to stick to what they know works for them and whilst The K’s have done this to an extent, it’s clear to see they’re beginning to branch out and test the waters which isn’t an easy feat – however it does them a favour and gives a taster of what to expect in the future, as they’re only going up from here.
Words: Elisha Cloughton
