ARTICLES. Some articles written on the Nottingham music scene, music in general and other rock and roll trivia. Lists and notes.
New single by Kid Spirit, May 2026
Hear the new ep on YouTube
Hear the new ep on Spotify
With roots in Lincolnshire they now play on the Nottingham scene too and I’ve seen Kid Spirit three times now. They have their first single release from their forthcoming debut EP called Morning Star, coming out in May, 2026 and mixed in Bristol by Callum Wotherspoon. I listened to one of the songs called Barriers to get a taste of where they are at right now. I realised I have heard them play this live a couple of months ago so that must have been an early airing of the song. A friend walking outside, unaware of the gig, hearing them, came in saying they had the sound of LCD Soundsystem.
These lads can obviously play but it isn’t a show off performance. It’s their sound and the song they are serving. It’s not the playing I want to discuss but just how it makes you feel. Straight out of the blocks we are soaring, I could shut my eyes and be at an outdoor festival. The ethereal keys give way to the lead vocals of Luke, who also plays those keys, a heartfelt song of grief ‘so break these silly walls down, these barriers to hell‘ written by guitarist Lewis giving me pause to think about those deeper moments that visit us all at one time or another.
This isn’t rushed, it is paced, drums and bass from Matt and Steve, giving it the power for the guitar and keys to ride along with an atmospheric grace. They consider themselves in the realm of bands like Slowdive and White Lies which is fair comparison but everyone has there own sound and Kid Spirit have theirs. As these things do, it grows on you. I know this is a single but I wanted it to go on longer.
Steve Mixup, April 2026
Luke Parker: Vocals/Keys
Steve Heather: Bass
Lewis Duckworth: Guitar
Matt Bell: Drums
Since writing this brief introduction to Kid Spirit and their single ‘Barriers’, I’ve seen them play again, this time at ‘The Chapel’ during ‘Dot To Dot 2026’. They played all three new numbers from the ep in their set, the song ‘Receiver’ catching my ear. Nicely paced, from a gentle beginning, and slowly building into a heartfelt cry of emotion.
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Press Release
Indie Gaze Powerhouse, KID SPIRIT announce debut EP following single ‘Barriers’
KID SPIRIT announce their upcoming EP, ‘Morning Star’ arriving on Sunday 24th of May led by the recently released single ‘Barriers’ that the EP showcases. It’s the first real statement for a band that has found their sound with piercing conviction.
The EP is built around concepts of emotional distance, personal growth and its results, throughout multiple facets of life. Across its three tracks, it drifts from textured soundscapes to euphoric rhythm, capturing the themes of isolation and uncertainty with an effortless abandon.
Written by the band at a time of metamorphosis, with a swing of creative direction that embeds them in the Gaze, Post Rock Genre, it hammers home the growth with soaring musical peaks. KID SPIRIT have found their flow, and this is the benchmark for their future endeavours.
Opening with a crash of melodies, The EP begins with the previous single release ‘Barriers’. The song glides to a peak with reverbs and distortion lifting you to that moment of anticipation with crafted precision.
Written by Guitarist Lewis Duckworth during a period of personal loss, the track explores the various emotions of grief and how they shape the following months and years of your life. “it’s been great to hear this song come to life, especially the way Luke conveys emotion in his vocals.” The guitarist said. Vocals are dreamy and drenched in reverb to carry you across the soundscape, whilst also reinforcing the deep emotion portrayed in the lyrics.
“These lads can play, but it isn’t a show off performance. It’s the sound and the song they’re serving.” Writes Steve Mixup, from the Notts Music Archive in his review of the first track.
The second track on the EP is ‘Different’.Gliding into a subtle, but driving melody, the vocal dances between the spaces created by the rhythm section. Its chorus strikes hard with booming guitars and a peaking vocal.
Each moment of the song leads you towards a peak of ferocious guitars and lyrics. This track boasts the power of being the first organically put together by the band, from its initial concept through to its final arrangement, and indicates a strong foundation for the band to grow on.
Rounding off the EP is ‘Receiver’. Originally demoed in 2016 by Phil Bodger (Imogen Heap, Lighthouse Family, Proclaimers) the band has recently taken a hold of its core and breathed new life into the song. Grabbed instantly by the 90’s trip-hop feel the track gently introduces the vocals up-front and intimately, this time stripped of the glorious reverb that elevates it in the rest of the EP. Coasting into the spacious guitar the chords almost create visual bursts of colour, setting the scene for what’s to come, and it’s worth the wait. What follows is an upwards progression with elements of Jeff Buckly meets Nothing But Thieves, bringing everything to a swirling close.
Callum Wotherspoon, mixing engineer of the EP said, “I love how it turned out, helping create a lush and dreamy landscape from their recordings was incredibly rewarding.”
Morning Star is available on all streamers on 24.05.2026.
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