Album Review: Kid Bookie – Songs For The Living // Songs For The Dead (Marshall Records)

MOBO award nominated alternative artist Kid Bookie will release his much-anticipated new album, ‘Songs for the Living // Songs for the Dead,’ on September 13th, 2024 via Marshall Records. An album created with an array of collaborators, including Good Charlotte’s Billy Martin, Skindred’s Mikey Demus, producers Tom Mitchener (Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes), Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me the Horizon, Nova Twins), George Perks (Enter Shikari, Skindred), and long-time friend and co-writer Ziey Kizzy.

An artist that can proudly say that they are forging their own path within the alternative scene, Kid Bookie has worked his ass off to get to this position, and with that, he has earned a ton of respect. All can recognise his talent, even if what it results in isn’t always to your personal taste. Putting it simply, Kid Bookie is one hell of a creative modern day alternative artist.

Where everything he does should be watched closely, and his current output is on another level, especially when it comes to collaboration and variety. It’s why we get a hefty start called AI (Save Yourself), where the man gets a bit heavier, but doesn’t lose the alt-edge. Vocally, his rapping is on point, but it’s the chorus that slaps the hardest.

To follow that vigorous listen with something so mellow and melodic as Purgatory is risky as hell. That’s the Kid Bookie way and it pays off because it’s very memorable, and even though Nothing to Believe In showcases a similar tone (maybe a bit more melancholic), the chorus makes this one a more robust anthem.

Interlude 1 come next and is a short, but very eccentric idea that, effects wise, is all over the place. It is saved by the latter rapping as the halfway point of the album comes in mighty fashion thanks to the excellent Scars. Here, Kid Bookie does an amazing job of showing how unique his genre-bending ways can be. There’s a grungy vibe to this one and the passion behind the vocals is outstanding. There is no doubt that this track will be heralded as one of his best for many years to come.

Switching it up, it’s a pair of shorter efforts with Self Control and DOWN MY FRIEND. With both offering up harmonised singing but from different angles, while being acutely rooted in melody. Before things get indie-rock-riffic with the foot-tapper that is Love Drunk. Bookie again, showcasing moments of lovable flair that makes his sound likable and memorable.

While that track may not be the most creative, there’s no debating that Love Me When You’re Angry is the artist at the height of his powers. Delivering some real heaviness here, infusing it with big alt elements, and having a consistency to his anthemic ways. The chorus is a beast, and again, this is going to be a long-term fan favourite. Especially as it sounds like it will take off live.

Finally, it’s You Only See, and in the blink of an eye, the album ends with focus on rap and more of the eclectic alternative aspects of the Kid Bookie sound. It, like the album overall, follows the trend of Bookie doing exactly what he wants, when he wants. Which, while hugely admirable does mean the album isn’t the most well structured and it does leave you with the feeling that a few tracks are a bit filler.

Overall though, this album kicks plenty of ass and showcases the immense talents of Kid Bookie and his collaborative ways, perfectly. His name is only going to grow in stature and it’s because of releases like this.

Kid Bookie – Songs for the Living // Songs for the Dead Track Listing:

1. AI (Save Yourself)
2. Purgatory
3. Nothing To Believe In
4. Interlude 1
5. Scars
6. Self Control
7. DOWN MY FRIEND
8. Love Drunk
9. Love Me When You’re Angry
10. You Only See

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