This English indie rock band, Kaiser Chiefs, was formed in 1996 and currently consists of five members. Their music has been heavily influenced by indie, punk, and quirky/new wave pop.  The Kaiser Chiefs released their newest album titled Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album on March 1st. This album marks their first album release since the summer of 2019. These ten tracks blend the group’s previous sounds, and in turn, create a more cohesive and mature album. 

The album starts with “Feeling Alright,” and this track very much sets the tone for the entire album which is filled with much more dance, electronic, and pop influences than their previous work. The sound of this album falls very much in line with the singles that preceded the release of this album. Track 3, “How 2 Dance,” in particular highlights this well. Track 3 really hones in on the electronic and pop aspects that Kaiser Chiefs have incorporated into this album, as well as the indie roots that they are best known for. The Kaiser Chiefs don’t stay in this pop bubble for too long as “The Job Center Shuffle” featuring Hak Baker deviates from the first three tracks. The funk influences are very much present in this track, and it includes everything from trumpets to, albeit brief, some punk-reminiscent shouting on the backtrack. 

“Sentimental Love Songs,” sitting in the second half at track 7, is one of the standouts of Kaiser Chiefs’ Eighth studio album. It has a soulful and rhythmic intro that transitions into a repetitive catchy chorus. Following are similar tracks, titled “Jealousy” and “Noel Groove.” Rounding out the album is the nostalgic track “The Lads.” It is a nice homage to the friendships formed within the group, and listeners can relate to their own relationships that have stood the test of time. It is a nice way to close out the album and seems like a natural reflection of the band, who have spent two decades together in the music industry. 

The Kaiser Chiefs 8th studio album brings in a lot of new influences; therefore, allowing them to tap into a new sound and experiment within the realm of indie rock. This album effectively brings up the mood of listeners and holds it there, while briefly tapping into themes of nostalgia and sentimentality in the latter half. The band has seemed to naturally progress over time, and this new album will surely have some mainstay setlist staples.