Pool Kids Shred at Madame Lou’s

Hailing from Tallahassee, Florida, Pool Kids return to Seattle for their new album, Easier Said Than Done. The emo/math rock group brings their melodic and sophisticated playing to a new level for this album. Playing around with wider and more complex tones compared to their earlier releases, exploring a new way of delivering their heartfelt lyrics and intricate voicings. Their tour is followed by acts Pony and Truth Club, but unfortunately, I ended up missing Pony due to Seattle traffic from the pass.

Truth Club was the first act of my night, playing hits from their albums Running From the Chase and Not an Exit. This set at Seattle’s Madame Lou’s made me an instant fan of Truth Club. Their song, “It’s Time,” was one of my favorites of the night. The rhythmic drums and guitar stops made me count along to the beat while they were playing, and I couldn’t figure out the time signature. Maybe I’m just bad at counting, but the band managed to stay well in time strumming at points that kept you on edge but felt so right for the drop.

Pool Kids were like mammoths on stage as their presence and crowd work were unlike anything I had seen from a venue this size. Pool Kids knew they had to bring the house down and did just so. Each song on the new album was so well optimized for the stage it felt as if I was listening straight from the studio. My favorite song of the night was “Sorry Not Sorry.” A melancholic letter to those who have ever felt like the “second choice” to someone.

The songwriting felt like it came from one of the deepest corners of the heart. It’s not just the lyrics that grab you, the writing of the band in general feels so well thought out and it shows. According to their Spotify page, when writing the new album, the band played the songs “a million different ways,” and it shows. The effort gone into the new album is on another level. I would suggest to people who are fans of bands like Paramore, Rocket, or Arm’s Length, to seriously pay attention to Pool Kids, as they have something for everyone and will be sure to grab your attention as soon as you press play.