(Indie Rock, Alternative) The Little Kicks - Shake Off Your Troubles - 2017, MP3, 320 kbps

The Little Kicks first emerged around five years ago, a young Aberdeen band with the wind in their sails. A crisp, upbeat debut album followed, laced with off-kilter indie pop worthy of comparison to early Franz Ferdinand, The Long Blondes, or even Sparks. The band’s last album, 'Put Your Love In Front Of Me' (2013) was part funded by Creative Scotland and met with critical acclaim both in the UK and further afield in Europe. Several album tracks including the lead single 'Girl' and it’s B-side (a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s 'Dreams') have enjoyed national radio airplay on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1, Radio Scotland and XFM. Sharing stages with the likes of Foals, Frightened Rabbit, Twilight Sad, Twin Maximo Park, Mystery Jets and The Maccabees, as well as appearing at many of Scotland’s major music festivals - T In The Park, Belladrum, Insider, Brew At The Bog, Electric Fields, Solus, Kelburn Garden Party, Insider – their recent history has involved a re-jig in personnel, and some time off to reassess ahead of staking their return…
A relocation for some fresh perspective was called for, and in the Spring of 2015 the band packed their kit and set off for a lodge by Loch Ness in which they would pen the ten songs that would come to make up 'Shake Off Your Troubles'. Late night recording sessions gave birth to a collection of thoughtful, plaintive, liberating, and always melodic indie-pop songs, that were ultimately wrapped up in Edinburgh and then mastered at Abbey Road.
Lead singer Steven Milne elaborates; “This new album is a collection of songs that means a lot to me and I feel it reflects a massive increase in both my own and the band’s confidence and abilities. There have been ups and downs personally since we last released music but I’m happy to say that on the whole we have grown to be more proud of what we do and to be less reticent to shout about it and our music. The themes of the record would be a feeling of happiness, gratitude and to be thankful with what you have and not take things for granted. Furthermore, not to let others get you down or let anyone put you in your place. In 2017 when the album is released I can’t wait to let people hear it and I hope these sentiments carry through to those who listen to it.”
Through 2016’s political upheavals, and the loss of many a music icon, it was a year that many will be keen to see the back of. So it is perhaps with some foresight that The Little Kicks choose to name their 2017 album 'Shake Off Your Troubles'. Join the band in their latest chapter. Tour dates to be announced shortly.