KINGS OF LEON Vinyl & CDs

Review: Nashville based bad haircut sporting, southern-tinged indie rock darlings Kings Of Leon were met with immediate acclaim and hyperbolic levels of high praise across their initial three-album run, yet when 2008's Only By The Night, and to a more specific extent, the 'Sex On Fire' phenomenon transpired, the same hipsters who one summer prior were burning everyone's ears off with endless recommendation were now lambasting the group for their expansive success. This shift in perception was clearly felt internally, as the next decade of output would suffer from aimlessness and a clear lack of spark, until timid signs of reignition would appear on 2021's When You See Yourself, which in retrospect, now seems to have been a sonic toe-dip back into folk-driven, neo-Americana while boasting enough wit and self-awareness to still appeal to their more mainstream followers. Going one further, Can We Please Have Fun feels like a plead to themselves and their core devout fanbase to return to a time before 'Use Somebody' was in every TV advert, when Kings Of Leon were a cheeky, bluesy batch of enigmatic rockers with questionable haircuts and charming southern drawls. They might still look like pop megastars nowadays, but on their ninth full-length, the Followills sound more self-assured, and joyous as ever.

Review: You and we alike know Kings of Leon have been around forever - but they keep on serving up hit rock albums with plenty of character, soul and just the right amount of grit. This special CD release Can We Please Have Fun (Live In Wrexham Edition) captures the raw energy and dynamic performance of the band in a live setting. Recorded during their electrifying show in, yes, Wrexham, it features everything from their signature anthemic rockers to intimate ballads. Each track draws you into the electrifying atmosphere of the concert with their trademark blend of heartfelt lyrics and powerful instrumentation, meaning this album shows why they're revered as one of the premier rock bands of their generation.

Review: Now 21 years into a hugely successful career, you'd forgive Kings of Leon for resting on their laurels. That they've not done that with Can We Have Fun, their ninth studio album. Instead of dialling in alt-rock-tinged American rock anthems - their stock-in-trade - they've instead delivered a set that's as spiky, unpredictable and infectious as their earliest work, while also making space for moodier, slower and more atmospheric songs. So, on one hand you have recent single 'Mustang', an infectious slab of garage-rock funkiness, and the weighty Foo Fighters riffs and booming bass of 'Nothing To Do'; on the other the slow-motion beats, effects-laden ambient textures, soft-burn guitar solos and dreamy sonics of 'Split Screen' and the country-goes-indie flex of 'Actual Daydream'.

Review: Superstar American rockers Kings of Leon are back with a new album Can We Please Have Fun and it exudes a vibrant energy and infectious spirit that is both refreshing and invigorating. From start to finish, the band delivers a captivating blend of all their usual big hooks, driving guitar lead rhythms and anthemic choruses that demand attention from big crowds. Tracks like 'Let's Dance' and 'Feel Alive' showcase the band's ability to craft memorable melodies while maintaining their signature rock edge. With its dynamic songwriting and polished production, this is yet another triumphant return for Kings of Leon that solidies their status as one of the premier rock acts of their generation.

Review: Kings of Leon's ninth album, Can We Please Have Fun, marks a rejuvenating return for the Southern rockers. Produced by Kid Harpoon and mixed by Mark "Spike" Stent, the album forgoes anthemic singles in favor of jangly rock with nuanced lyricism. The band's relaxed and positive mindset during recording shines through, despite themes of tragedy and introspection. Opening with 'Ballerina Radio,' the album sets a noir-like scene with restrained melodies and a hint of positivity. Tracks like 'Nowhere to Run' and 'Nothing to Do' showcase the band's post-punk influences, while maintaining their signature energy. The album's middle section slows the pace with meandering tunes before building up to the angsty 'Hesitation Generation' and closing with the garage rocker 'Seen.' Throughout, Caleb Followill's raspy vocals and the band's dynamic instrumentation create an enjoyable listen. Can We Please Have Fun may not be a complete departure from the Kings of Leon's previous work, but it's a welcome evolution that showcases their ability to craft compelling rock music with depth and emotion.