Cool Kid

There's a certain magic in a band that knows exactly what it is, and Tres Kings aren't here to reinvent the wheel — they're here to give it a bloody good kick. With their latest release, Cool Kid, the Kent-based indie-rock trio deliver another swagger-filled slice of guitar music that feels built for sticky-floored venues, questionable life decisions and the sort of nights you only half remember the morning after.

From the off, Cool Kid comes swinging. Wiry guitar lines cut through a punchy rhythm section, while a driving bassline and sharp, snappy drums give the track a groove that refuses to sit still. Frontman Wez King brings plenty of attitude to proceedings, giving the song that wonderfully unpolished edge that makes indie rock feel alive. There's no unnecessary overcomplication here: Tres Kings understand that sometimes a cracking riff, a bit of grit and a chorus with some proper personality are all you need.

Lyrically, the track takes a cheeky look at the mythology of being the cool kid — those schoolyard rituals, questionable habits and desperate attempts to establish yourself in the social pecking order. It's a subject that could easily descend into nostalgia for nostalgia's sake, but there's enough character in the delivery to keep things entertaining. The addition of a scattered voice-note-style appearance from Timothy Midnight adds another layer of personality, making the track feel like an inside joke you're delighted to be let in on.

What really works is the band's chemistry. The interplay between guitar, bass and drums feels instinctive rather than overly polished, giving the track a live-wire energy that translates the trio's onstage character into a studio recording. There's a sense that these lads know precisely how to get a room moving — and aren't particularly interested in asking permission first.

Coming off the back of releases including E.T., Bad Side Baby and Roll Up Your Sleeves, Cool Kid continues Tres Kings' run of confident, hook-heavy indie rock. With a distribution deal with SOULPUNX Records and a six-track EP on the horizon, the band have some serious momentum behind them. This feels less like a group searching for its identity and more like one doubling down on what it does best.

The verdict? Tres Kings have delivered a swaggering indie-rock number with enough grit, groove and personality to earn its place on your next pre-gig playlist. Cool Kid doesn't pretend to be something it isn't, and that's precisely the point. It's a reminder that being cool was always a load of nonsense anyway — but having a tune this infectious certainly helps.

For fans of their indie rock loud, their guitars wiry and their nights out slightly questionable.