To say ‘Mustang’ is a return to form for Kings of Leon would be a bit harsh. The Followill clan’s history is familiar to anyone with a vague interest in whatever could be termed alternative-rock – three stupendous albums, one mega single (‘Sex On Fire’ for the unaware) followed by a decade and a half selling out stadiums, but it’s felt like the weight of ultra-success has weighed down heavy on much of their output since.
The first single off of soon to be released LP ‘Can We Please Have Fun’ finds the Nashville garage and blues addled quartet galloping along on a wind of rejuvenation, marking their fresh signing to Capitol Records. Lesser bands may have seen such a moment as an occasion to force out another U2 level FM-rock monster, but KOL have grasped the opportunity to harness the cocky Southern American charm that made us all take notice to begin with.
Perfectly witty and barely-sensical near-spoken Lou Reed style verses find singer Caleb Followill carrying out light vandalism of Sylvan Park in the group’s hometown, getting hot under the collar from a risqué mag in an office loo and feeling nonplussed about stumbling into a back street operating theatre, over Southern American rock and psychedelic guitar flourishes. The rousing leviathan of a chorus poses a more brash, less existential quandary than when their 00’s contemporaries The Killers asked “Are we human or are we dancer?” posing their own accusatory and direct shape-up challenge: “Are you a mustang or a kitty?”. To say ‘Mustang’ is a return to form wouldn’t be fair as Kings of Leon have been back on top since their ‘Mechanical Bull’ LP came out but it’s fair to say this is the band at absolute peak performance.
To mark the album release, Kings of Leon are embarking on a world tour with support from The Vaccines and Phantogram, stopping off in the UK, Europe and America. Tickets are available to purchase now from the band’s website.
‘Mustang’ is produced by the very in vogue and in demand Kid Harpoon. The single is available to stream everywhere now and the album ‘Can We Please Have Fun’ is due for release on 10th May 2024. You can see the video for ‘Mustang’ below:
Edge of Arcady 