Towering and captivating garage rock, King Size’s self-titled debut combines the rawness and fun that’s so integral to a good rock and roll record with a dexterous attention to detail in each and every riff that’s viscerally enjoyable. From the opening rollercoaster of “Rolla”, you’re head banging without a moment’s notice to stop and think. They combine elements of pop-punk with a more jagged and raw garage/punk rock compositional style to create tunes that slide between being annoyingly catchy bops and head-bang worthy rock anthems in equal measure.
This group of Venetians aren’t hear to mess around one bit. There’s such a fervour to their performance, an unbridled energy that’s unhinged but not dark or angry whatsoever. It’s that purity in their expression, a fun loving nature that leaves you so enthralled and engaged. The riffs are the standout musical elements across this record, overpowering every aspect of the arrangement and driving each song to its natural state of being with such clear command and conviction.
At ten tracks long, you’d expect duds, but they’re nigh impossible to come by. This is a polished record thematically, even if sonically it chooses to retain a rough around the edges approach. The slower ballad tunes like “Making No Sound” also come as welcome reprieves during the record’s runtime as moments or break from the overwhelming energy of the more hard-hitting drum and guitar smashing of the more punk rock tunes.
I find myself so absolutely enamoured and engaged by this record throughout. It feels so innately fresh from a sonic perspective, bringing back a very fundamental and visceral rock and roll sound and expression but with an approach that feels uniquely imaginative. Keep an eye out, these are a group that’s bound to deservedly run for that King Size crown.