Infinite Zest

Youth is not to be easily dismissed. While some might laugh and throw an “Ah, but you are still young”, it is nothing short of obvious youth is something many chase. Indeed, Sky Larkin are young and one could think it comes naturally for these 20-plus-year-olds. But they way they craft their songs make it crystal clear few can do this. The zest of careless days is ever present in their melodies and the three Leeds natives make it seem so effortless one can but crave to be at least for a day like them.

Their latest album, Kaleide, is just another burst of energy. Irreverent and with a flair of the long lost 90s American alternative (well, maybe not that lost), Kaleide does not wish to be a wise-beyond-its-age album. It throws itself in your face and takes you back to the nights when you were still a teenager (including the heartaches, not just the fun). The rapid guitars, sneaky distorts and Casio keyboards shamelessly creep around you and remind you that sometimes even more than three chords, make for on hell of a punk recording. It is, one could rightfully say, the rebirth of grunge but on British land. Their love for female bands like Sleater-Kinney is ever present. The heavy drums and Katie Harkin’s voice stand as proof that the Olympia-trio is reincarnated into Sky Larkin.

Like fellow Brits Johnny Foreigner, Sky Larkin have always had a great pop sensibility: their songs seem to be instant hit in Indieland. The Foals-scented Year Dot with its computer game feel, the sun-kissed metal-infused Spooktacular with its obsessive chorus, the ecstatic Stay Windmills with its crescendos, all are meant to be festival anthems, musical tour-de-forces that should not be known be a handful of people and should grace radio waves.

Kaleide is by no means a surprise to those who know Sky Larkin’s previous output, but it makes for a great listen. Sky Larkin are slowly growing up and evolving while staying true to themselves and to their now trademark sound. This album is not supposed to raise eyebrows. What Kaleide is here for is to tell us to keep our eyes on the guys and never forget just what a wonderful band they are.