Pool Kids drastically rose up in the world after releasing their excellent self-titled sophomore album in 2022, and now they’ve signed to Epitaph Records for their just-announced third album, Easier Said Than Done, due August 15. The album was made with Mike Vernon Davis (who also produced the self-titled), and it’s said to touch on a variety of different styles of music, including synth pop, slacker rock, and acoustic balladry–“We tried out new ideas on the fly, wrote and reworked songs, keys, chord progressions, and runs together,” says bassist Nicolette Alvarez.
Speaking about her lyrics, vocalist/guitarist Christine Goodwyne says, “There’s a lot of Florida imagery and a lot of really specific glimpses from tour on this album. By letting myself get specific, I feel a lot more emotionally connected to the songs. It’s a very personal record for me and for the whole band, too. I was writing about what life has been like for all of us over the last few years. I feel like all of us can relate to a lot of the songs.”
The first single is the title track, a slow-burning song that starts off in atmospheric, vocoder-fueled art pop territory before eventually exploding into a cathartic rock climax. It’s informed by struggles with OCD,” which, as Christine puts it, “can just rob your life of joy. Things can be going so well, and then it just sucks any enjoyment out of it.” It comes with a shadowy performance video directed by Zach Miller and you can check that out below.
Pool Kids also announced a headlining fall tour with support from Truth Club and Pony, which kicks off on September 19 in Nashville and wraps up in Pool Kids’ home state at The Fest. The NYC-area gets stops at Asbury Park’s House of Independents on September 21 and Manhattan’s Bowery Ballroom on September 23. Tickets go on sale Friday (6/6) at 10 AM local. All dates are listed below.
Pre-order Easier Said Than Done on vinyl in the BV shop.
Tracklist
1. Easier Said Than Done
2. Tinted Windows
3. Bad Bruise
4. Leona Street
5. Last Word
6. Sorry Not Sorry
7. Not Too Late
8. Which Is Worse?
9. Dani
10. Perfect View
11. Exit Plan
Pool Kids — 2025 Tour Dates
with Truth Club and Pony:
Sept. 19 – Nashville, TN – The ‘58 At Eastside Bowl
Sept. 20 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
Sept. 21 – Asbury Park, NJ – House of Independents
Sept. 23 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Sept. 25 – Philadelphia, PA – Ukie Club on Franklin
Sept. 26 – Somerville, MA – Crystal Ballroom
Sept. 27 – Montreal, QC – Bar le Ritz PDB
Sept. 28 – Toronto, ON – The Baby G
Sept. 30 – Hamtramck, MI – Sanctuary Detroit
Oct. 01 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Café
Oct. 02 – Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
Oct. 03 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Oct. 04 – St. Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar & Hall
Oct. 06 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
Oct. 08 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
Oct. 10 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s
Oct. 11 – Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret
Oct. 12 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall
Oct. 14 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
Oct. 16 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
Oct. 17 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
Oct.18 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live
Oct. 20 – Denton, TX – Rubber Gloves
Oct. 21 – Austin, TX – 29th Street Ballroom
Oct. 23 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (purgatory)
Oct. 25 – Gainesville, FL – FEST 25
Nov. 6 – Miami, FL – Gramps
Nov. 8 – Nov. 13 – Coheed and Cambria’s S.S. Neverender