Indie rock band BLK JKS from Johannesburg has a very timely release for their EP Zol!, right at this year’s World Cup in South Africa. The four-piece also performed at the World Cup kickoff concert with the likes of Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas. Title track “Zol!” is a soccer anthem that is catchy and upbeat, and has everything one would expect from a song about the beautiful game. It is not, however, a good representation of BLK JKS’ sound (pronounced Black Jacks). The rest of the EP is a bit moodier, with U2-esque guitar added to an Afropop foundation. To BLK JKS’ benefit, African percussion combined with indie pop is incredibly popular right now, and these guys can hold their own against their Western counterparts (or imitators, some might say). – Written by DBosket
SIMILAR | Electric Owls, Brenda Fassie, Mayer Hawthorne, Lemonade, The Mars Volta, Vampire Weekend