Jackson grungegaze band Kicking are set to release a four track EP titled Nothing Personal on Thursday, April 30th. The first track, “Reprieve”, was released as a single on April 65th. When offered the opportunity to listen to it before its release, I jumped at the chance. The songs on the EP, “Reprieve”, “Punch”, “Mourning After”, and “Invitation” have been featured in many setlists over the years and will be familiar to Kicking enjoyers. Despite this, you’re still going to enjoy listening to them over and over – I know I did.

What struck me immediately after starting “Reprieve” was vocalist Bobbie Flanders’ wonderfully warm voice – she sounds amazing on this EP and adds a dreamy element to the songs “Mourning After” and “Invitation”. These are all songs I could see in the soundtrack to a character-driven drama about a girlfailure who turns it around in the third act. J.D. and Sarah Grace’s guitars, once loud enough to knock cans off the wall in CS’s, are powerful, but not overpowering. Every element comes together to make for a pleasant listening experience.

The band, now split between Jackson and Buffalo, NY after bassist Lacy’s departure from Jackson in early 2025, will be doing a limited Europe-exclusive run of cassette tapes via Summer Darling Tapes, though you are still able to pre-order if you live in the states. Only 8 euros!

They will also be closing out Couchfest V on Saturday, April 19th at 9pm.

Current standout track: Mourning After

Find Kicking on Instagram, Facebook, and Bandcamp.