Seattle outfit Hifi Riff Raff arrives with a loud statement of intent on The Cool Kids, an energetic debut that marks the band’s transition from a seasoned cover act into creators of original material. Built on years of live experience, the record balances classic rock swagger with touches of funk, punk, and blues while refusing to stay boxed into a single style. Anchored by guitarist Matt Haller alongside Jeff Hill, Aaron Kimball, Dave Maragno, and vocalist Bill Zielinski, the band leans into old-school musicianship, using familiar influences as fuel for songs that feel spirited, playful, and refreshingly sincere.
Right out of the gate, “Rock is Dead” kicks the door off its hinges. Rumbling drums and fuzzy, overdriven guitars charge ahead while Bill Zielinski’s rowdy vocal performance spits defiance at anyone eager to write rock music’s obituary. Rather than mourning the genre, the song argues that rebellion, raw emotion, and speaking truth to power are still very much alive. Lyrics demanding “Where’s the rage?” transform the track into an anthem that celebrates rock’s enduring refusal to play nice, with its relentless energy making it impossible to sit still.
Things take a lighter turn with “My People,” which swaps rebellion for self-aware humour. Sporting a funky groove and a vocal delivery sharpened with a playful swagger, the song pokes fun at everyday frustrations, from traffic jams to customer service nightmares, before reminding listeners that we’re all just flawed people drifting together on “a speck of dust tumbling through space.” It’s witty, relatable, and surprisingly uplifting, proving the band can laugh at modern life without losing its bite.
Closing the highlights, “Moonshiner” reimagines the traditional folk standard with heavier guitars, thunderous drums, and gritty slide work that gives the classic tune fresh muscle. The Cool Kids showcases Hifi Riff Raff as musicians unafraid to honour rock’s past while carving out an identity that’s vibrant, heartfelt, and ready for the next chapter.
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Review by: Naomi Joan