"The Next Big Thing". "Has bloggers buzzing". "Critics raving". Three tired phrases that have been used to death when describing the Black Kids, and another key to hype is comparisons with some already established great bands. Something reviewers haven't been particularly modest in endowing BK with, The Cure and Arcade Fire both particular favourites. Both essentially inaccurate. Although, there's no denying the influence of Robert Smith's vocals on Youngblood, Black Kids are nowhere near as depressing, and are much tighter, well executed and just more fun than Arcade Fire. And yeah, when was the last time you heard synths in an Arcade Fire song?
Anyway, do Black Kids deserve all this rabid fervour? Of course they do! Wizard of Ahhhs their self-released debut EP that avoided CD-Rs and was released as a free download on their myspace, is a thrilling, synth-driven, energetic but sombre ode to pop's classic themes - love and heartbreak.
Hit the Heartbreaks is a cracking opener, beginning like fireworks exploding, and Youngblood yelping bitterly "it's not me it's you" - a real statement. Following, like an eager puppy afterwards is the ridiculously well-titled and just bouncily brilliant, 'I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You': it's like being admitted to a heavenly, melancholy kingdom in the sky called Synthtasia - both exhilarating and stupidly catchy (dare you not to shout out "Dance, dance, dance, dance!"). Hurricane Jane brings things back to Earth, with gloomy pizzicato bass, "it's Friday night and I ain't got nobody, so what's the use in making the bed", Youngblood strains - and you can almost picture him in the corner of his room crying. I can't even criticize, finishing with the weakest, most straightforward track I've Underestimated My Charm (Again), since it's still single-worthy and has some delightful female-backing vocals.
Here's hoping they're album will match up to this. Ah stuff it, I think it will. Since Wizard of Ahhhs is all gold - a fantastic, timeless contrast of heart-rending lyrics, and pure life-affirming danceable pop.
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