Review / 200 Words Or Less
Kississippi
Sunset Blush

Alcopop! Records (2018) Kristen Swanson

Kississippi – Sunset Blush cover artwork
Kississippi – Sunset Blush — Alcopop! Records, 2018

Philly duo Kississippi released their anticipated debut album Sunset Blush and unlike some records, it lived up to the hype. The album starts off with the song “Once Good,” perfectly blending elements of indie and folk with Zoë Reynolds’ voice beautifully texturing the track. “Cut Yr Teeth” is a sonically dreamy track complete with stellar lyrics. Reynolds is mesmerizing as the vocalist of the band—despite having a distinct sound, it’s hard to pinpoint her tone which adds another depth of dimension to the album as a whole. 

“Easier to Love” competes with the top mainstream pop tracks, but lyrically and vocally stand stronger than standard radio music while remaining undeniably catchy. “Mirror Kisser” delivers electropop vibes while “Shamer” perfects the art of simplicity. Similarly with “Who Said It First,” the tempo of the song showcases Reynolds' range along with the music as a whole. Kississippi explores different music styles not just within the album’s entirety, but sometimes within the same track—it’s fresh and inspiring. For a debut album, the band has managed to accomplish and pull off what some seasoned bands are still striving to achieve. 

Kississippi – Sunset Blush cover artwork
Kississippi – Sunset Blush — Alcopop! Records, 2018

Related news

Kississippi and Alex G members present Puppy Angst

Posted in Records on September 4, 2022

News outta Kississippi

Posted in Bands on October 8, 2020

Recently-posted album reviews

Palette Knife

Keyframe
Take This To Heart Records (2026)

There’s a fine line between being a quirky emo band with scene references and something that actually sticks. On Keyframe, Columbus trio Palette Knife don’t just flirt with that line but sharpen it, name it after a Final Fantasy item, and build ten huge choruses around it. The band’s self-described “Nerd-Core-Mid-West-Emo” tag could easily read like a gimmick, but this … Read more

The Downstrokes

The Furious Hours
Independent (2026)

There is a specific kind of sultry, salty sweat that only happens in a room with low ceilings and a tube amp screaming a warm hum for forgiveness. You can smell the lingering kerosene and the stale beer on The Downstrokes’ latest LP, The Furious Hours, before the needle even hits the groove. It’s the sound of a band that … Read more

The Arrivals

Payload
Recess (2026)

It's been a short lifetime since the last Arrivals record, Volatile Molotov, but in many ways the new Payload picks up exactly where the last one left off. It straddles the mid-tempo punk spectrum while drawing influence from seemingly all realms of the rock 'n' roll cannon. I'd state that mod, power-pop, Brit Invasion, and even R&B are some of … Read more