An Epic Post-Punk EP: King In Yellow Presents ‘Dark Passenger’

King In Yellow is comprised of life-long friends Kyle McDonough (vocals/guitar), Nick Vining (guitar), Mickey Rowan (bass/backing vocals), and Garin Sheely (drums).

Together, the band has unveiled their latest EP, 'Dark Passenger', delving into themes like a fractured psyche, intense lows, and fleeting moments of clarity. Through innovative sonic landscapes, with post-punk tendencies, ‘Dark Passenger’ pushes beyond conventional boundaries to explore intricate and complex emotions.

‘Lucid Dream’ explores themes of desperation and dissociation as explored through the lyrics “Do you know just where you’re heading to?…The city is on fire.” Kyle McDonough’s baritone vocals mimic Ian Curtis and the post-punk era, blending with static percussion and crashing cymbals to create a raw, textured backdrop. This intensity contrasts with the jangling, distorted guitars, which build into a hypnotic, wave-like sound. The track fuses mechanical precision with melodic warmth, adding layers of contrast, depth, and atmosphere

‘DARK PASSENGER’ opens with hesitant guitar strums that mimic the ticking of a clock, setting a dark and introspective tone. King in Yellow cleverly plays with perspective, alternating between a voice of sanity and then into the perspective of one’s darkest thoughts, as conveyed in the lyrics,  “I am the chemical that cooks in your veins”. Kyle  McDonough’s baritone vocals seem haunted and McDonough has a deep, echoing vocals heavily laden with Nick Cave similarities, perfectly framing the slow tempo which is layered with a heavy reverb, creating a psychedelic haze and ambience to create a vivid image of fragmented mind. 

‘Hand in Fan’ sees a rhythmic change, where the tempo becomes a lot faster and is driven by eccentric guitar arrangement with an emphasis on a melodic bass line and dominant drum beat to create unrelenting energy that mimics a state of mania. 

‘Desire Paths’ closes the EP, beginning with disjointed strumming, then a surge of distorted instrumentals that have a hazed effect and adding guitar whammies creating a heavy punk meets alternative rock vibe. This is soon joined with passionate, harsh vocals that feel familiar to Frank Carter. However, as ‘Desire Paths’ progresses it becomes more polished yet the unrelenting energy continues. 

‘Dark Passenger’ is an experimental extended play that sees King In Yellow cleverly demonstrate a variety of emotions: exploring one’s darkest thoughts, numbness, anger and mania. They heavily play with tempo, rhythm and melodies in order to mimic such thoughts and feelings turning deep vulnerabilities into exceptional art and bringing a resurgence to the post-punk scene. 

Ana Joy King

@anajoyking

Image: ‘Dark Passenger’ Official EP Cover