Skittish nestled into a distinct segment between indie rock urgency and alt-pop accessibility with the discharge of Kicking In, a monitor that flirts and orders drinks on the bar for storage punk and nostalgic neo-pop to entice them into the stylings of this scorned but superlative anthem that writhes by collective frustration.
They might be outliers on the airwaves by their refusal to fall into traces of monotony, however anybody looking for visceral authenticity and the chance to attach with an artist unafraid to put on their authenticity on their guitar strings will discover their very own type of reverie inside Kicking In. The ennui resounds at a palpable degree regardless of the high-octane power of the earworm, which is battle-ready with euphoric choruses, razor-sharp angular indie guitar licks, and crooning vocal traces pinched with sardonic wit.
Jeff Noller’s DIY defiance has all the time been the heartbeat of Skittish, however with this new Los Angeles-based incarnation, he’s enlisted sonic arsonists together with guitarist Chris Lahn, who carved searing licks into the center of Kicking In, and drummer Ian Prince, who saved the rhythmic volatility simmering beneath the pop polish. It’s only one instance of the genre-fluid chaos that defines the brand new EP Ugly Makes Fairly—a document that dances by its existential crises and punches again with hooks.
Kicking In is now out there to stream on all main platforms, together with Spotify.
Assessment by Amelia Vandergast