Hey, music lovers! Picture this: It's 2024, the world's still a chaotic mess of algorithm-dictated dates and two-star Uber rides, but out of the Welsh valleys comes a track that says, "Screw it, let's dance through the madness." Kids In Glass Houses – yeah, those cheeky South Wales rockers who had us screaming along to Smart Casual back in '08 – just dropped "Have A Good Time," their first new tune in eleven years. And let me tell you, it's a funky, feel-good gut-punch that's got me strutting through my kitchen like it's an ASDA car park rave. If you're searching for the ultimate Welsh rock comeback single or fresh adult contemporary grooves with an indie edge, this is your jam.
I mean, come on – who doesn't need a reminder to "liberate your pleasure" amid the blueberry-vape dilemmas of modern life? That's the core of "Have A Good Time," the unexpectedly bass-thumping final single from their fifth album, Pink Flamingo, hitting shelves (or streams) on October 25th via Family Recipe Records. Lead singer Aled Phillips nails it in his press notes: "It's a song about the absurdity and misadventures of modern life and how sometimes you just have to find the humour and joy in it all." And damn, does it deliver. The lyrics hit like a witty therapy session – lines like "What flavour are ya vaping? / How does anybody choose? / Blueberry on Sunday / Disneyland for awful news" capture that hilarious frustration we all feel, before exploding into the chorus: "Have a good time / Have a good time / Please just remember / Have a good time." It's repetitive in the best way, like a mantra for shaking off the blues.
Musically? Oh, it's ambitious AF. The band – Aled on vocals, Iain Mahanty on guitar, plus the rhythm section of Homer Lamont, Adam Taylor, and Phil Jenkins – leans hard into their influences here. Think Prince's slinky funk grooves mixed with Bloc Party's angular riffs and a dash of The Strokes' cool detachment, all wrapped in their signature post-hardcore/emo heart. No more holding back on the "outlandish stuff," as Aled puts it. The production pulses with energy – that driving bass line and shimmering synths create this infectious vibe that feels free and alive. It's sonically daring, way more dynamic than their earlier Top 40 bangers like DIRT or In Gold Blood, but with the same sincere joy that made them festival staples alongside Paramore and Fall Out Boy. In a year where adult contemporary is blending with indie rock comebacks (hello, all those reunion tours lighting up 2024 playlists), this track feels timely and timeless – a bold evolution for a band that's always toyed with genres but never quite let loose like this.
Kids In Glass Houses burst onto the scene in 2007 from Wales' talent hotbed, charming the UK with huge hooks, tireless gigs, and that effortlessly stylish aesthetic. Four Top 40 albums, silver-certified debut, Radio 1 playlist darlings, MTV spots, even a London Olympics performance – they were British rock royalty. But after Peace in 2013, they hit pause. Fast-forward to 2023: The 15th anniversary of Smart Casual sparked sold-out UK tours and Slam Dunk Festival sets that reignited the fire. "Our shows always felt like a community of like-minded individuals coming together," Aled reflects, and you can hear that communal spark in every note of this new era. Rehearsals turned into songwriting sessions, and boom – Pink Flamingo was born, a record full of confidence and that pure love for making music together.
The video? Pure chaotic fun, shot in just two hours but bursting with Valleys nostalgia. Inspired by lounge singers belting it out like Live Aid at rugby clubs and caravan park talent shows, it's got the band hamming it up as "frustrated frontmen" in a whirlwind of over-the-top performances. Aled admits they all outed their inner show-offs, and the energy is electric – think glittery absurdity meets heartfelt laughs. It's the quickest vid they've ever done, but hands-down the most joyful.
If you're hyped, catch 'em live: Out-store gigs this week in Kingston, Cardiff, and Glasgow to celebrate the album drop, then a string of intimate November UK dates kicking off in Liverpool. Tickets are flying – don't sleep on this reunion glow-up.
Look, in the wild world of 2024 new music releases, where indie rock singles are all about that raw, unfiltered joy, Kids In Glass Houses are reminding us why we fell for them in the first place. "Have A Good Time" isn't just a track; it's a vibe shift, a call to ditch the red flags and embrace the strut. Pre-save Pink Flamingo now and let it soundtrack your next misadventure – you won't regret it.
And hey, if you're an artist grinding in the indie scene, dreaming of dropping your own funky banger? DistroKid's got your back for getting it out to Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond – super simple, and you keep 100% of your royalties. Plus, snag a sweet 7% off your membership with this link: https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/2058328. It's how bands like these go from bedroom jams to global streams without the hassle.
What about you? Does "Have A Good Time" have you liberated and grooving, or got a favorite Kids In Glass Houses throwback? Drop your thoughts in the comments – let's chat! Share this if it's hitting your playlist, and stay tuned for more Welsh rock spotlights and adult contemporary gems.
