Night Wolf + The Fods – Kickback (2026)
My introduction to Night Wolf was his singles featuring singer-songwriter Lois Powell. A hypnotic voice coupled with orchestral instrumentation, this UK-based producer was linked to haunting, ethereal, dark and emotional music, but that isn’t all he has up his musical sleeve. Instead of leaning toward siren-like sounds, today Night Wolf showcases another side to his repertoire. The latest addition to his discography is the single, ‘Kickback’.
Following the well-received singles ‘Unstoppable’ and ‘The Laws Of Life’, Night Wolf brings us a re-imagined version of The Fods’ ‘Kickback’. From The Fods’ 2024 album Don’t ARgue, the original ‘Kickback’ is a five-minute blast of rock music, dragging you back to the 1970s. Raging guitars meet bold drums, but Night Wolf’s version is rather different. Instead of a hard-hitting rock-filled rush, he offers just under four minutes of indie-pop… well, sorta.
Produced by Night Wolf, this ‘Kickback’ is a soothing, gentle, chilled-out flush of music. Joining the pulsating beat and shimmering synths are marimbas and strings, showcasing a massive pivot from his darker trip-hop vibes. While I might have mentioned that the orchestral element of Night Wolf’s music is removed, that’s not entirely true. The soaring violin inserts the distinctive orchestral harmony, plucking at your heartstrings with every languid note. The intriguing addition of marimbas helps lift the mood, bringing a lighter, more fun flair to ‘Kickback’.
The tempo and melody are entirely contrary to the original, but the original singers add their bit to this ‘Kickback’. Not as heavy or full-bodied as their rock version, but still bringing weightiness in the soaring vocals. The voice may be closely held in this melody, yet there is a feeling of loftiness, like someone singing from a distance but standing out above the tune. It’s sort of eerie in one way but has a cosiness in another.
So, which do I prefer – The Fods or Night Wolf? Honestly, they are so different in tone, tempo and style that I cannot compare the two. A cinematic, joyful take on a hard-hitting single, Night Wolf has impressed once again.
Find out more about Night Wolf on his official website, Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Spotify.
Find out more about The Fods on their Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
