3.5/5
House Of Fun.
Their sex may no longer be on fire like their prolific popularity (glad they got that checked out), but Tennessee's own Kings Of Leon still put on a clinic when it comes to classic rock and roll music. From the country home of Nashville and their, 'Youth & Young Manhood' and 'Aha Shake Heartbreak' beginnings, they've always been one of the best bands before the 'Because Of The Times' and 'Only By The Night' platinum sound. Since then, they've tried to still 'Come Around Sundown', riding the 'Mechanical Bull', but with the 'Walls' closing in, their popularity hasn't been the same since it was almost (can you believe it?) a decade and a half ago. Still, don't say they've fallen off like 'The Simpsons', or J. Cole trying to diss Kendrick. One of America's most amazing bands are back with their first album since 'When You See Yourself' in 2021.
'Can We Please Have Fun' they ask for their ninth wonder of a studio album, and their first with LoveTap and Capitol Records. And it's an exclamation too, saying goodbye to RCA. Feeling fresh like Vietnamese food, all the way down to the vibrant album artwork in all caps for this declaration. Recording in Franklin, Tennessee's Dark Horse, with the great Kid Harpoon, the man behind the Styles of 'Harry's House', the Followill brothers of Jared, Nathan, Matthew, and of course, Caleb follow-suit in this family affair. Writing some sensational songs, spearheaded by the singles, 'Mustang', 'Split Screen', 'Nothing To Do', and 'Nowhere To Run' to that end. Continuing to cook with the States star's Great British bake off of the 'Live At Wrexham' bonus Racecourse set featuring classics like 'On call', 'Pyro' and the searing 'Cold Desert' for your island discs. Headlining a tour through North America, Ireland and the United Kingdom where they continue to be profoundly popular, the Kings have plenty to deal with their set-lists, coming out of the corner with the opening 'Ballerina Radio' that stings like a bee. All the way to the ends of 'Seen' like getting left on read, waiting for more. But it's the floating 'Rainbow ball' that shows them in all their colours, as Caleb croons, "Got my old friend back/He was gone quite a while/I won't stand for that/Good times/Were had/By all/At the rainbow ball/We took every ride/Never paid no mind/We held/Our breath/We crossed that line."
Please, please me, in the madness of this house of fun, there's more to come. Like rapid eye movements, the lyrics of "Jump to conclusion/Based on illusion/Everything is shaved ice/Fashion week's a blur/And everybody slurs/And feels out of style", gives your brain that numbing freeze like the aforementioned summer snack. The world is gone to the dogs that would rather troll celebrity and you and me, and then celebrate what everyone's wearing at the Met Gala, as they dress up their previous cat comments to walk it all back. There really is nowhere to run in this 'Split Screen' dream that has a sadness like a John Mayer record. But on 'Don't Stop The Bleeding', in this mad world, Leon just want to pour on the fun for your tears and fears. "Bombs away/Don't stop the bleeding/Why you always look so sad?/I think you're rad." We all need somebody to look at us like that in this digitally dark day and age. Tune into this 'M Television' for the 'Hesitation Gen' and these two rockers will show you how to do this, son. It's all about just feeling the fun amongst all this fear, taking a leap of faith that sounds like "Let's take this thing apart/Rebuild it with our hands/Modify the make and model/Patch it up and see what happens." With a harpoon in their side, these kids of Leon make a brand-new start that will ease you in like 'Ease Me On' that sounds so illuminating like the lights of a jukebox when you select said track in an amber and neon lit bar. Finding their sweet spot, between the stools and the sour limes you twist 'round the neck, the Kings are back. And it's all for the fun, kids. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Ballerina Radio', 'Rainbow Ball', 'Mustang'.
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