What is happening with Rainbow Kitten Surprise?
The band behind "Cocaine Jesus" and "It's Called: Freefall" was brutally honest in an Instagram post, and now so are fans about their new songs
I included Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s two comeback songs in my releases roundup last week. Apparently, some fans aren’t fans.
The recently TikTokified folk band behind songs "It's Called: Freefall" and "Cocaine Jesus" ("When you find an old picture of us….” You know, that one) has been on hiatus since last summer due to lead singer Ela Melo’s mental health.
RKS announced their return on Instagram with a catch: The band would no longer include bassist Charlie Holt because Melo “could not find a way to continue working with them.”
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Initially, all the posts popping up on my FYP expressed disdain for both new songs. But after a second search-and-scroll, I noticed there really wasn’t much discourse on Twitter or TikTok aside from one video with over 60K likes. I saw some videos from fans saying they “Don’t understand all the hate” and then couldn’t find the source of any hate.
Let this be a lesson in algorithms: Just because you see a viral post or two on your feed does not mean something is trending.
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I saw one fan saying the new singles proved Holt was the tastemaker because these singles were not the same as the band’s other music. But “LOL,” the first surprise single released that week, is classically RKS, with a low-tempo beat and honest lyrics describing struggles with mental health.
With “Superstar” I can maybe understand why fans would be disappointed. One fan whose video I can’t find called the song vapid and rhythmless. The song leans more pop on the folk-pop spectrum, especially for a band known for lyrics like “Very lovely morning / Try not to kill yourself today.” And these darker, raw lyrics are why fans fell in love with RKS long before their TikTokification.
Personally, I don’t see a problem. “Superstar” is good, it’s catchy, and it’s still RKS to me.
The Philly girls are popping off
Not only did we get a new Lizzy McAlpine this week, but newcomer Julia Pratt, whom I absolutely adore, has a beautiful new single out—and I would like to single it out. You’ve all been sleeping on this artist.
New Releases this Week
“I guess” by Lizzy McAlpine
“Carolina” by Julia Pratt
“Something’s Gonna Go Our Way” by The 502s
Deeper Well, album by Kacey Musgrave
Selfishly Inclined, EP by Elle Coves
“little me” by Maddie Zahm
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