Single Review: Kicking Stones

“Catchiness” is a strange creature sometimes. It can lurk in places unexpected, or even uninvited. Almost parasitic, or perhaps more like an invited guest who somehow manages to stay longer than you thought they would. The guest in my head today is Kicking Stones by Tamaki Makaurau four-piece, Goodspace.

Kicking Stones is a track that creeps up on you. A gritty, yet groovy guitar riff kicks it off before immediately jumping into its lush chorus. It’s this chorus that surprises me in its stickability. Upon first listen, it’s lyrically ambiguous with its layered vocal melody, but by the track’s end it has taken you over, hanging around as you go about the rest of your day. There is a sort’ve cozy dreaminess to it. Caressing over the hip hop influenced beat. It’s not all gentle though. At its midway Kicking Stones punches through with dirty bass to keep you on your toes.

Melting hip-hop rhythms with indie rock guitars is by no means a new formula, but Goodspace have cracked it excellently here. Even in its short 2 and half minute runtime, the clever arrangement gives it the full life of something larger. No to mention the absolutely superb production. Kicking Stones sounds technically amazing, the band should be truly proud of it given its home studio origins. It’s a true step up from the previous releases of the self-titled debut EP and it’s follow up Under the Loquat Tree. It certainly wouldn’t sound out of place on the Gorillaz iconic Demon Days, perhaps not unsurprising given Goodspace’s listing of Damon Albarn’s influence.

If Kicking Stones is the vibe check for Goodspace’s forthcoming debut full length album, then us listeners can certainly do no harm in inviting them into our good spaces too. Let them stay as long as they like, I’m sure they’ll make it worth your while.