Indie Pop from The Kind Hills

The Kind Hills exist in a way that feels somehow scattered and strangely unified, a project informed by distance but instilled with something much closer. It all started when a group of friends studying together in Perth, Australia, gradually transformed into a global indie pop outfit, with members now spread across Brisbane, Perth, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Lucerne. Despite the miles between them, their music still carries the echo of those earlier days, when everything revolved around gigs, late nights and a shared sense of possibility.

Back then, their lives were influenced by small venues and big moments; they spent nights watching bands like Custard, Regurgitator, Sodastream, Mach Pelican and Eskimo Joe, soaking in the atmosphere while their own ideas about music took shape. Spontaneous parties and long evenings that stretched into the Western Australian night created a creative catalyst which endures through what they do now.

Martin and Roman take on much of the writing, production and vocals, while the rest of the group contribute their own layers of vocals and creative input, shaping the final sound in subtle ways. Having first captured their sound in the studio with 2023’s debut single “Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud,” they’ve since delivered an expansive catalogue across multiple singles and two full-length records. This year they’ve returned with new material in the build up to their forthcoming record, Little Epiphanies, a fourteen-track album that distils themes of hope, joy and humour, balancing them against the context of more difficult relationship experiences.

Last month, they dropped the lead single “Imposter Syndrome,” offering the first taste of the upcoming LP ahead of its release on May the 10th. The second single lifted from the album, “All Your Promises,” presents a bright, jangly indie pop sound that carries a sense of warmth while addressing the act of leaving behind something that no longer works. It’s a track that mirrors the band’s wider outlook and even as their lives have shifted across the world, the motivation of what they do remains tethered to those earlier connections.

Set up by the taps of drum sticks, the track rolls with bouncy bass grooves, rustling percussion and the playful pluck of lead guitar notes before delicate vocal leads glide in. Stitching bright melodic threads into the buoyant indie fabric, the song rolls with memorable melodic leads and charming tone, forming a sound that’s upbeat and emotive in equal measure. With moving, sepia-toned lyricism and intricate lead guitar work, the band casts a superb indie pop soundscape that’s at once uplifting, thoughtful and highly original from start to finish.

It’s a stellar showcase of their songwriting flair and performance talent, proving that the geographic distance between the band’s members never dampens their shared musical vision. With their highly anticipated third full-length record on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what The Kind Hills has in store on what’s sure to be another well-received album.

Listen to All Your Promises below

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