Rainbow Kitten Surprise's 'Love Hate Music Box' is otherworldly
Rainbow Kitten Surprise's 'Love Hate Music Box' is otherworldly
The 22-song album is eerie, yet upbeat
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Rainbow Kitten Surprise, perhaps best known for their TikTok-popular song, “It’s Called: Freefall,” released their fourth album this month. Love Hate Music Box is a 22-song album. It leans into the alternative indie band’s strengths – smooth, haunted vocals and choppy instrumentals.
They make the kind of music perfect for sound-bytes on TikTok or YouTube. Love Hate Music Box keeps the fast-paced tempo of Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s previous work but is still fresh, with bumpy rhythms and smooth instrumentals.
A top pick from the album is “SVO.” It’s dark, intriguing, and sultry. I had it on repeat, intrigued by its enigmatic vibe. It has a catchy mystery about it. “She like girls who like guns,” Ela Melo sings. “I like her, she shoots straight.”
The one hour, seven minute long album is contemplative and imaginative with supernatural and fantastical motifs, referencing to ghosts, vampires, and werewolves. It mentions making wishes and Peter Pan’s Lost Boys.
My favorite song is “Sickset.” The song is charged with emotion and taps into the band’s unique sound. “Superstar” is snappy and confident. “Ghoul” and “Code Blue” were something out of an indie thriller. “Meticulous” and “Hot Pink Ice Cube” felt perfect for a time capsule roadtrip playlist. “Cinderella” was fantastical and sassy.
Stranger in the mirror
Something coming close
If I become your ghost
Don't even grab your coat
Stay with me we're leaving
If I become your ghoul
Code blue-Rainbow Kitten Surprise, “Code Blue”
“LOL” was a relatable exploration of relationship. It reminded me of “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson. “Overtime” feat Kacy Musgraves and “Superstar” are performing the best on Spotify so far, with upwards of four million streams.
At times, the album feels a little elusive, but I’d like to think that’s the point. The band capture show feeling can sometimes be fragmented, and emotions aren’t binary. It transports you beyond words. While I started tune out toward the last half of the album, for the most part I didn’t get bored, which is impressive with such a long setlist.
Thematically, the album holds together with an upbeat sadness. It felt cinematic and pointed, even otherworldly at times. I think Rainbow Kitten Surprise is underrated – they’ve crafted their aesthetic and continue to deliver on it.
Their final song on the album is called “Thanks For Coming.” To that I say, thanks for having us.
My weekly roundup:
🎶 What I’m Listening To: SVO by Rainbow Kitten Surprise
🎞️ What I’m Watching: I finished The Circle 👀 Read my thoughts here
🔎 What I’m Reading: In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken
📱 What I’m Scrolling: Has social media marketing gone too far?
⚠️ What I’m Following Up On: A MET Gala slay I missed