Kiwi Jr. - “Gimme More”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…The Modern Lovers, The Lemon Twigs, Pavement

Tight rock and roll and top-notch songwriting define Kiwi Jr.’s debut full-length Football Money, one of the most cohesive and grooving records released in the early weeks of 2020. Their sound could be imagined coming out of early 80s basements, infused with punk energy but performed with laid-back togetherness. Breezy pop and surf rock riffage intercede songs like “Salary Man” and “Gimme More”, the latter adding some power pop harmonies for even more of a beachy vibe. Kiwi Jr.’s music pops and moves - these aren’t just little new wave jams, rather Kiwi Jr. has a tendency to build multiple movements in their songs like their crafty musical forefathers. The Canadian newcomers excel in songwriting not only in their complex pop assemblies, every melody is sweetly placed and rarely overdone. This efficiency twists the band’s psychedelic rock baseline to one that explores with quick, studied purpose. At under thirty minutes, Football Money is a digestible and impressive initial statement from these exciting revivalists. (Kevin McStravick)