Middle Kids
It's a good day to celebrate Australia 🏏
What You Need to Know
Middle Kids is an indie rock band from Sydney, Australia. It was formed in 2014 and consists of vocalist and guitarist Hannah Joy, her husband Tim Fitz on guitar and bass, and Harry Day on drums. The band has several releases: their eponymous debut EP (2017), the album Lost Friends (2018), the New Songs for Old Problems EP (2019), and their second studio album, Today We're the Greatest (2021). In early 2024, they will release their third album, Faith Crisis Pt 1.
Why it’s a Recommendation
When Pitchfork describes somebody as “a band for the people” and gives their popular album a 6.8 rating, you know you’re onto something that will be good. Middle Kids are not a band that will win critical plaudits for being original, but they have tried and tested formula and the execute it very well:
Catchy hooks: Many of the band's songs feature memorable and catchy melodies, making their music accessible and easy to get into.
Strong vocals: Lead singer Hannah Joy has a powerful and emotive voice. I’m a sucker for female vocals (especially when combined with indie rock), and Joy’s vocals combined with the band’s catchy choruses make a dream combo.
Thought-provoking lyrics: On Today We’re the Greatest: “This is a simple song about people being tiny and our lives being fleeting, but also that we are epic and great. It’s finding the beauty and majesty of the everyday. Life is gory and boring sometimes: it’s both hectic and mundane and we have to accept both.”
Middle Kids also has a strong cover game and some fantastic live recordings. Some of the best covers are Don’t Dream It’s Over (Crowded House), All The Small Things (blink 182), and drivers license (Olivia Rodrigo).
It’s a great time to get into Middle Kids - they’ve recently released three songs from the upcoming Faith Crisis Pt 1. all of which show off the best of the band (Highlands, Dramamine, Bootleg Firecracker). If you want to go further back, some of the older tracks that helped them grow in popularity are Edge of Town, Never Start, and Mistake.
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Recs Revisited
If you’re interested in Northern Europe, Attache released a guide on Helsinki, a city that’s on my list to visit.