French duo Kids Return unveil “1997“, a Britpop-drenched journey through youth, love, and emotion.
French indie pop duo Kids Return present their new album 1997, a kaleidoscopic time machine into the spirit of youthful abandon, recorded between the Pyrenees and Paris’ iconic Studios Saint Germain. Equal parts retro and forward-thinking, the record plays like a cinematic coming-of-age film scored by Britpop guitars, gospel choirs, and heart-on-sleeve lyrics.
Opening with the energetic title track “First Choice” the album sets the tone with jangly guitars, infectious hooks, and pure nostalgia. “It captures the impulsive, carefree nature of teenage love,” the band explains.
That theme runs throughout the album. “My Hero,” a soaring tribute to a lost loved one, radiates intimacy and emotion, underscored by a feverish rhythm and accompanied by a powerful music video starring Céleste Brunnquell. Tracks like “Time to Time” and “Teenage Dreams” offer soul-baring reflections, while “Welcome To My Life” and “Who Knows?” bring edge and swagger. 
“Teenage Dreams,” split in two, transforms bitterness into acceptance, lifted by a gospel choir, while “Perfect Lover” spins adolescent angst into sonic poetry. Melancholic moments arrive in “So Good Alone” and the finale “The Seattle Boat”—a track that embodies the album’s message of saying goodbye while moving forward. “We love the idea of ending the album with a farewell, yet one that feels like the start of something new,” they say.
1997 is a bold emotional statement from a band capturing the essence of youth with timeless flair. As Kids Return declare: “It’s not too late to lose control.”
