Dark City Kings light a fire with new two-track EP 'Champions of Tomorrow’s Fun'

From the heart of the Southern Appalachians, Dark City Kings return with their new EP 'Champions of Tomorrow’s Fun, a collection that refuses to bow to the weight of the world and instead leans fully into the possibility of joy. It’s an infectious, genre-blurring offering that takes the neon bite of new wave, the nervy charm of art-punk, and the melodic lift of pure pop, and sets it ablaze in choruses meant to be shouted from the back of a sweaty club.

The title-track opens with an irrepressible groove, equal parts playful and defiant, before tumbling into a chorus that’s all hooks and heart. There’s a sense of freedom woven into its DNA, the kind of song that feels impossible to sit still through, balancing its sharp edges with an unshakable sense of fun. If the band’s previous work (Love Is Punk) positioned them as inheritors of alternative tradition, 'Champions' is where they step into their own spotlight: audacious, confident, and unafraid to dance at the end of the world.

Paired with it is 'Atmosphere', a song that plunges into icier waters. Its minimalist pulse and shadowy tones conjure echoes of post-punk’s most haunting moments, a meditation on distance and beauty wrapped in glacial textures. Where 'Champions' burns hot, 'Atmosphere' smoulders cool, offering the kind of contrast that makes the EP feel expansive rather than one-note.

The fingerprints of legendary producer Kevin Moloney (best known for his work with Sinéad O’Connor) are present in the balance between clarity and grit, where songs are polished enough to shine but raw enough to feel lived-in. And knowing these tracks were born in a weathered mountain cabin, with whiskey, woodsmoke, and late-night laughter in the air, only deepens their resonance.

With this EP, Dark City Kings are reviving the spirits of their influences by building a refuge. In an age of noise, conflict, and disconnection, they’ve crafted music that reminds us joy itself can be radical.