Kippax – New Orleans (2025)
Bonding over a mutual love of 60s jangle-pop, Kippax is the result of four schoolmates with one pure passion for music and the desire to create moving melodies. While the lads have only three singles under their belt – one being the track reviewed today – Cameron Wolfe, Ewan Ramage, Daniel Lynam, and Conor Duffy are establishing themselves as mainstays on the Irish indie-rock circuit. With sold-out shows at the notable music venue Whelan’s, supporting Getdown Service on the Irish leg of their UK/IE tour, and features on online radio stations, Kippax is an energetic, confident and engaging quartet. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘New Orleans’.
Following Kippax’s 2024 singles ‘Nothing Left Round Here’ and ‘This Is A House’, ‘New Orleans’ is the group’s first saunter into 2025. Similar to previous material, a strong leaning toward the Beatles is evident; however, a lilt to something darker, grungier, and a bit obscure lingers beneath the track. It’s a case of Pulp meets The Kinks meets the Beatles, all wrapped in a kaleidoscopic bubble of sound.
While ‘New Orleans’ places you in the bubble of sound, it is more than a simple wave of jangle-pop music. Instead of being comfortable and warm, the single brims with a sense of urgency and leans toward the gruffer side of tragedy. Inspired by John Steinbeck and Johnny Marr, “…’New Orleans’ explores themes of disillusionment with anxious verses marked by a boisterous, larger than life hook”. In its wandering between hazy discontent and vulnerability, Kippax twirls you about in the head-whipping, breathtaking delicacy of humanity.
While ‘New Orleans’ has the touch of organised chaos, something peeks from the back with a soothing, calming and gentle tone. Poetic lyricism executed by rich vocals acts like an anchor navigating the tumultuousness with tender caresses. Sincere, but a little heart-tugging with spine-chilling sentiments, ‘New Orleans’ is an intriguing release from Kippax. This is my introduction to the Irish group, and I highly recommend we keep an eye on this foursome.
Find out more about Kippax on their Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
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