Ontario indie-popsters the Kents are set to unveil a brand new EP called Waking next week, but you can stream it in its entirety right now at Exclaim!
The five-song offering hears the band exploring themes of family, loss and the not always peachy process of growing up and leaving behind the comforts of adolescent life.
The EP bristles with high-energy power pop from the get-go with tracks like "The Stakes" and "I Know," holding steady with jangly, hook-heavy tunes all the way through. "Once More" gives listeners a gentler, folk-tinged respite before picking things up once again for the shimmering, sunshine-y, catchy closer "Playing with Fire."
The record's Waking title actually comes from a line in opening song "The Stakes," which mentions "waking to the sound of new beginnings." According to frontman Warren Frank, the line struck a chord with the band, encapsulating the process and experience of making the new songs.
"As these recordings came together, we knew that we were in the process of releasing something that was very different from what we had created so far and we rallied around that idea — the chance to make a statement," he tells Exclaim! "This is who we are as a band now, and we're excited to take this directional shift and continue to push ourselves with it."
Hear that statement take shape through sound by giving Waking an early listen in the player below.
The EP is officially out on June 1, and you can catch the band live at the upcoming shows listed below.
Tour dates:
06/04 Toronto, ON - The Horseshoe Tavern
06/05 Ottawa, ON - Live On Elgin
06/18 Lindsay, ON - The Grand Experience
06/30 Peterborough, ON - The Oxford
07/07 Guelph, ON - DSTRCT
07/08 Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
07/09 Hamilton, ON - Baltimore House
07/13 Courtice, ON - Mill Park
07/16 Kingston, ON - The Mansion
07/29 Sault Ste. Marie, ON - LopLops
07/30 Thunder Bay, ON - The Foundry
The five-song offering hears the band exploring themes of family, loss and the not always peachy process of growing up and leaving behind the comforts of adolescent life.
The EP bristles with high-energy power pop from the get-go with tracks like "The Stakes" and "I Know," holding steady with jangly, hook-heavy tunes all the way through. "Once More" gives listeners a gentler, folk-tinged respite before picking things up once again for the shimmering, sunshine-y, catchy closer "Playing with Fire."
The record's Waking title actually comes from a line in opening song "The Stakes," which mentions "waking to the sound of new beginnings." According to frontman Warren Frank, the line struck a chord with the band, encapsulating the process and experience of making the new songs.
"As these recordings came together, we knew that we were in the process of releasing something that was very different from what we had created so far and we rallied around that idea — the chance to make a statement," he tells Exclaim! "This is who we are as a band now, and we're excited to take this directional shift and continue to push ourselves with it."
Hear that statement take shape through sound by giving Waking an early listen in the player below.
The EP is officially out on June 1, and you can catch the band live at the upcoming shows listed below.
Tour dates:
06/04 Toronto, ON - The Horseshoe Tavern
06/05 Ottawa, ON - Live On Elgin
06/18 Lindsay, ON - The Grand Experience
06/30 Peterborough, ON - The Oxford
07/07 Guelph, ON - DSTRCT
07/08 Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
07/09 Hamilton, ON - Baltimore House
07/13 Courtice, ON - Mill Park
07/16 Kingston, ON - The Mansion
07/29 Sault Ste. Marie, ON - LopLops
07/30 Thunder Bay, ON - The Foundry