Amsterdam's indie rock newcomers KATHMANDU return this week with a punchy new release that proves they're no mere flash in the pan in the music world; no, they're a storm of pure energy and emotion. Their latest, "Wild Wind," builds on where they left off with Different Life, but now they're cranking up the emotional dial. Only just recently popped up on our radar in April 2025, KATHMANDU is already quickly emerging as one of the real and magnetic indie forces out of Europe.
Loosely inspired by the Beach Boys classic Wild Honey, which they notched on a list of influences they made ahead of the album, the song was penned by lead singer/guitarist Kiran Roy after noodling on his Yamaha for "an afternoon or two. Matches melancholy noise to triumphant sentiment to create something infinitely greater than the sum of its parts, or musical cues. It's not just a song; it's a splash of rebirth into your ears, dressed in reverb and rhythm.
"Wild Wind" opens with a gloriously retro sound, reminiscent of the high-rolling 1960s and 1970s, yet without sounding dated. There's a warmth and familiarity to the instrumentation, crunchy guitars, flowing grooves, and just the right amount of swagger. Still, it's all sharpened through modern production and a contemporary bite that gives the music a freshness in 2019. It is her voice that remains the anchor, the guide through the lyrical storm. She recites each line with a poetic grace and a soulful assurance that demands you sit up and take notice. How she captures vulnerability and victory in her tone is spellbinding.
What makes Wild Wind so special is that it's inherently introspective yet anthemic. It's the type of song you'd roll down your windows and blast after finally getting over someone or something that was bringing you down. Full of charisma and a sound that remains timeless yet continually evolves, "Wild Wind" is more than a follow-up; it's a statement.
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