Kings of Leon make a comback with “Mustang”

Kings Of Leon burst onto the scene with their debut album, maintaining a relentless pace of success. Initially associated with peers like The Strokes and The Vines, the band quickly ascended from small venues to commanding stadiums by the release of 2008’s ‘Only By The Night.’

However, the subsequent decade saw a relative scarcity of new material for fans. Since the 2013 album ‘Mechanical Bull,’ the Followill clan has only delivered two albums, neither capturing the same critical acclaim as their earlier work.

The upcoming album, ‘Can We Please Have Fun,’ seems to be a self-imposed challenge. Returning to their foundational principles, they've enlisted the expertise of a new producer, UK artist Kid Harpoon, known in pop circles. Set for release on May 10th, this LP arrives 21 years after ‘Youth & Young Manhood.’ The question remains: will their middle years be a source of fun or merely a holding pattern compared to their past glories?

The recently released single 'Mustang' serves as the inaugural glimpse into their upcoming record, delving into their foundational sound. This country-infused indie rock piece bears semblance to a lengthy John Fogerty song, channeling the simplicity and melody ethos of Creedence.

Contrasting with the grandiosity of their stadium years, 'Mustang' exudes a refreshing sense of sheer enjoyment—a burst of fan-centric energy. From its lively intro guitar line onwards, the track seems tailor-made for raucous venues, harking back to the gritty bars that were once the band's domain.

With a fusion of pop pep and a touch of rock sleaze, 'Mustang' represents Kings Of Leon at their most overtly enthusiastic in quite some time. Shedding pretense to reclaim their signature swagger, it hints that the forthcoming record might just hold a few surprises for listeners.

I would give this 3 out of 4 stars and you can listen to the track here.