King Nun - “Sinking Feeling”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 3

Pairs Well With…Idles, Modest Mouse, The Killers

King Nun’s sophomore record is Lamb, a continuation of the British band’s explosive rock sound balancing punk and big-stage accessibility. Grimy riffs match anthemic vocal hooks on Lamb, jangly chords giving their garage pop songs personality beyond the gigantic rock hooks that define the best of King Nun’s choruses. They sound loud and focused on Lamb, growing their sound a bit while more notably getting tighter and more determined. Accessible for ears looking for grand indie rock, King Nun are keen to intermingle more adventurous album tracks with songs that scream ‘alt-rock single’, a smart feature to not just rely on the biggest, catchiest patterns in the band’s quiver. (Kevin McStravick)

2020 Review: Jangly UK rock band King Nun released their debut full-length Mass in 2019, a wickedly strong collection of arena-ready alt rock tracks crafted and performed with youthful ambition and throwback grunge appeal. Mass is tighter and bigger than what came before - see anthemic, mid-tempo rock-a-long “Bug” and yearning, riffy opener “Mascara Runs” for examples of King Nun’s committed, wide sound. Mass has some slower builders like lounge-ready “Black Tree”, but it’s energetic, grunge-pop numbers like closer “A Giant Came Down” and shinily epic “Chinese Medicine” that stand out with heart and power.