Following the July release of their dual single “New York” and “LA Hex,” rock duo The Kills, made up of Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, are formally announcing their return with the song and music video “103.” All three tracks serve as teasers for the band’s sixth studio album, God Games, due Oct. 27. Of the three, “103” takes full advantage of The Kills’ love for electronic inflictions that have always been an intriguing facet of their sound.
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Hince’s guitar slashing through the wall of bass paired with Mosshart’s siren-like vocals, pulls the switch up effortlessly, intensifying at the rate of rising temperatures that Mosshart says to “Blame it on the sun.” This riveting blend of electronic production with Hince’s slick guitar lines, candy-coated by Mosshart’s gentle croon has become a signature of The Kills.
The visuals for “103” embody the spacey feel of the track, where Mosshart and Hince spin across the cosmos in metallic gray suits. In the background, dancing CGI aliens and a blazing sun fuel the bass-heavy production’s flame, making for a perplexing video that doesn’t diminish the song’s expansive sound. And considering all three singles released so far have come alongside a video, it’s astonishing to see the quality carries over through each one.
“103” is another taste of The Kills’ evolution. While the band could have easily gotten lost in the shuffle of countless other acts from the same era, they’ve kept evolving while still staying true to their signature sound. The same can be said for God Games, which was birthed in 2019 and steadily moved forward as they honed in on the album’s sound. Now that it’s around the corner, there will surely be more songs that surprise as much as they stun.
The Kills performed a set of one-off shows in 2022 in both Los Angeles and New York. Most recently, the band hosted a set of merch pop-ups and DJ sets, again in their favorite cities of L.A. and New York. With a new album underway, expect some new Kills tour dates arising from the ether.
Words: David Sosa
“103” by The Kills is out on all streaming services. For more on new music and live shows, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and their website.
