Divya Prabandham
This pairing stripped away the over-engineered, glossy radio commercialism that had occasionally weighed down their post-2008 catalog. Instead, it injected a post-punk grit and a light indie aesthetic that harks back to their early 2000s era while keeping their matured musicianship intact.
Working with producer Kid Harpoon brought a "pop-leaning" sensibility to their southern rock roots, but instead of smoothing them out, he helped them sharpen their edges. The production has been praised for being "invariably excellent".
That freedom led them to Kid Harpoon, a producer whose recent credits included Harry Styles's Harry's House and Miley Cyrus's "Flowers" — not exactly the rough-and-tumble producers you'd expect for a Kings of Leon comeback. But the pairing worked brilliantly. The band had worked with Markus Dravs on their two previous albums, WALLS (2016) and When You See Yourself (2021) — records that critics often described as drearily self-serious and overly polished. Kid Harpoon brought a different sensibility: cleaner production, more sonic exploration, and a willingness to let the band experiment.
Here, the band leans into a post-punk aesthetic. The rhythm section Kings Of Leon - Can We Please Have Fun -2024- M...
On Billboard's Adult Alternative Airplay chart, lead single "Mustang" peaked at No. 3, while follow-up track "To Space" (from a later EP) would eventually reach No. 1 in early 2026, giving the band their fifth chart-topper at that format.
Upon its release in May 2024, Can We Please Have Fun was met with some of the most enthusiastic reviews the band had received in years. Critics praised the album's dynamic range, noting that it successfully bridged the gap between the raw energy of their early days and the melodic sophistication of their later work. Fans rejoiced at hearing a version of Kings of Leon that sounded loose, energized, and deeply invested in the music.
This sense of musical exploration continues throughout the album's first half. "Rainbow Ball" offers a prickly indie rock feel, while "Nowhere to Run" introduces a carefree, grooving bop anchored by a funk-inspired bass line. The lead single, "Mustang," is the explosive centerpiece of the record. AllMusic described it as "equal parts Iggy & the Stooges and Achtung Baby -era U2," calling it "easily one of the band's most infectious singles since 'Use Somebody'". It perfectly captures the garage-rock aggression of their early days while maintaining a polished, arena-ready sheen. This pairing stripped away the over-engineered, glossy radio
, released on May 10, 2024, is the ninth studio album by Kings of Leon . It marks a significant shift for the band as their first release under Capitol Records and their first collaboration with producer Kid Harpoon , known for his work with Harry Styles and Florence + the Machine. Critical and Fan Reception
: The album closer. A dark, cinematic epic that builds into a swirling wall of psychedelic guitars, leaving the listener on a hauntingly beautiful high note. Themes of Nostalgia, Aging, and Acceptance
Reviews for the album have been generally positive, with many describing it as the band's best work in over a decade. The production has been praised for being "invariably
behind the album at Nashville's Dark Horse Studio.
— The lead single and instant classic. A rollicking blues-rock number that channels early Kings of Leon while adding new layers of lyrical wit and musical swagger. The song namechecks the band's old Nashville stomping grounds and finds Caleb at his most charismatic. It's the kind of track that reminds you why these guys became one of the biggest rock bands in the world.