Why Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s new album is a ‘spill-your-guts-out record’

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Previously, the British dance artist, commonly recognized as Fred Again.., expressed interest in a potential partnership with the alternative rock band from Nashville, Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Since their formation at North Carolina’s Appalachian State University over a decade ago by Ela Melo and guitarist Darrick Keller, this band has been at the helm. Ela found the proposal captivating. “His music is exceptional,” she remarks about Fred Again..’s soulful electronic compositions.

As a music enthusiast, I found myself exchanging creative ideas with the artist’s team. They would often respond, “That’s not quite it, but keep sending more.” Before I knew it, my bandmates and I had penned nine songs, then 32, then 48. The process felt so natural and enjoyable that we eventually amassed almost 160 songs.

Melo chuckled and replied, “To be honest, I’m not sure about the status of the Fred Again… feature. If he’s still keen, we’re ready and waiting.

An interesting development is the upcoming release of a new album by Rainbow Kitten Surprise titled “Bones.” The band announced this on Wednesday, stating that it will hit stores on September 26 via Atlantic Records. This album consists of ten tracks and was produced by Jay Joyce. It serves as a swift response to last year’s “Love Hate Music Box,” which had 22 tracks and took the band six years to put together. According to Melo, the band member we spoke with in upstate New York during a tour break, this album came together quickly rather than being laboriously produced like its predecessor. The sound is gritty yet melodious, featuring rough electric guitars and live drums instead of the synth-heavy, intricate productions found in “Love Hate Music Box.

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With Ethan Goodpaster on guitar and Jess Haney on drums, RKS aimed to create a lively stage performance while crafting the song “Bones,” as mentioned by Melo. The intention was to play the music immediately rather than build it and then perform later, according to the singer. Next month, the band is set to record its fourth consecutive sold-out show at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre and perform at the annual Ohana festival in Dana Point. Melo often wrote the album’s songs on a guitar, which offered a distinct energy compared to her work on keyboards for “Love Hate Music Box” and 2018’s “How To: Friend, Love, Freefall.

Melo’s lyrics are said to be more straightforward compared to her previous work, with a focus on directness. She refers to the album as one where emotions are poured out freely. For each song, she writes an initial verse and improvises the rest in the studio. Several songs in the album discuss how relationships can be impacted by substance abuse. The lead vocalist shares that she’s been sober for approximately ten months, yet she feels that singing allows her to express energy from a part of her life that she no longer engage with. She fondly recalls getting high on the Parkway in Boone, North Carolina.

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She explains that her life decision was sparked by noticing how alcohol made her say things she wouldn’t usually, becoming slightly cruel at times. Recognizing that such a substance took away her control, she decided to avoid anything that might limit her control. This principle extends to music for her too. By being as disciplined and regulated as possible, she opens herself up to receiving a wider range of emotions or frequencies. This broadens the scope to express her personal truth, perhaps even ‘the’ ultimate truth, through a microphone.

In a refreshing twist to music genres that have been predominantly ruled by rappers and pop stars for years, “Bones” stands out with its rough textures and irregular rhythms, hinting at rock’s potential comeback. Melo doesn’t claim to have any profound explanations for this trend, but she recalls the exact moment she felt rock was making a resurgence – the opening track of Olivia Rodrigo’s album “Guts”, specifically “All-American Bitch”. The kick drum struck her, prompting her to reflect, “I don’t need modern electronic sounds and all the fancy embellishments; I just want classic guitars, bass, and drums. That’s what I crave.

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2025-08-06 20:31