SOUNDS GOOD

Ki wi Jr – Cooler Returns

At the start of 2020, Toronto’s Kiwi Jr selfreleased their debut album, the exuberant Football Money, packed with catchy guitar-driven gems. Since then the world’s changed, but the four-piece are back a year on, now on Sub Pop with another 13 infectious songs showcasing their slacker charms.

“There’s a crowd gathering outside our apartment,” opener Tyler starts, a nonsocially distanced hymn to under-achieving.

There are echoes of other bands, Pavement, Parquet Courts, Tokyo Police Club, and Norma Jean’s Jacket has The Velvet Underground chords, but Kiwi Jr are their own band, scrappy at times, but smart and always thrilling.

If you liked Football Money, you’ll love Cooler Returns.

(Review by Alex Green)