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

The Phase Problem

The Power Of Positive Thinking
Brassneck Records (2024)

I spent a good part of the late ‘90s annoyed at the abundance of Ramonescore. I’ll stand by my word: many of the bands of that era were carbon copies that didn’t bring anything new to the format. But time has passed and what was overdone is now a refreshing change of pace. For whatever reason, when I hear a … Read more

Totally Slow

The Darkness Intercepts
Refresh Records (2024)

I find Totally Slow a hard band to categorize. Their brand of melodic, hard punk is familiar and comforting -- rooted in ‘80s hardcore, ‘90s skatepunk, and post-something guitar-driven rock. The press release namedrops Dag Nasty and Hot Snakes, among others, which I think are good starting points. But while it’s familiar, it’s absolutely not a carbon copy. Like their forebearers, the songs … Read more

Steamachine

City of Death
Records Workshop (2023)

City Of Death is the third album from Polish noise makers Steamachine. Having dabbled in a few metal styles over their career, City Of Death has a heavy carnival influence to it which I have to say I really like. It's interesting just how much more sinister things sound when you pump eerie, jingly circus sounds amongst very dark, heavy, … Read more