We The Kings
Smile Kid
SC1

Smile Kid is the second full-length record from Californian Pop Punkers We The Kings. The follow up to the self-titled album that brought the band a sizeable amount of popularity and success looks to continue in the same vain. The winning formula is unchanged on this record, so expect to hear the big hooks, and catchy melodies that captured the imagination in the first record. That’s not to say however that this is not a step up from the previous work, this would be a disservice to the band. They have most certainly upped the craft and the guile of the song writing and elevated this to another level.

The almost indie folk sparkle of “Promise The Stars” offers a different side to the band, marrying a more mature sound with the youthful exuberance of pop punk/emo. This maturity is evident throughout the record and certainly adds another dimension to the bands sound. While not detracting from the bands overall sound this adds variety to the album. The single from the album “Heaven Can Wait” is the standout track with a massive chorus, that will be stuck in your head from first hearing it. It’s in keeping with the rest of the tracks, certainly more killer than filler. Tracks like “The Story of Your Life” and “Anna Maria” could easily have been picked as singles.

This is a well written, catchy, and thoroughly enjoyable record that improves on and moves the band forward from their previous work. If you’re a fan then pick this up, and if not then pick it up anyway and you won’t be disappointed.

Buy this album from AMAZON

Review by John Brookes