The time has finally arrived. After a series of setbacks, it’s finally Kickback Season. That’s right, Chicago’s residential rockers, The Kickback,  have returned with the lead single off their long-awaited third studio album. Entitled “Very Nice Time,” there is an upfront heaviness that contrasts with recent standalone single “The Golfer,” which was characterized more by feeling blue on the green. Last Billy Yost (vocals, lead guitar), Jonny Ifergan (guitar), and Dan Leu (bass) issued a record proper was 2017’s heartbreak-addled Weddings & Funerals, a sonic and emotional level-up from their early days.

Having been fortunate enough to have witnessed their free acoustic set at Dayglow Coffee (owned by Ifergan) earlier in December, I had the immense pleasure of hearing some of the new songs firsthand. Trading up “The Golfer“‘s mellow melancholy for heftier, guitar-laden licks is our first glimpse into what to expect from LP3. The track commences with a wall of static scuzz, the very same featured in the promotional clips leading up to the single’s release. Esteemed drummer Matt Walker (Morrissey, The Smashing Pumpkins, Filter, Garbage) provides thumping percussion over which Yost’s scathing vocals soar atop. “Ohh, ohh, I’m not sure we can afford one more slip-up/ Ohh, ohh, I’m not the messenger of Christmas Future,” Billy warns on the pre-chorus. Yost & Ifergan provide menacing guitar licks on the chorus as Leu offers a snaking bassline. “We’d like to thank you for a very nice time/ But a very nice time must end/Penny for your thinking, but in these ripe times/I think I might drop a friend,” Yost sings on the hook. Glorious discord reaches a fever pitch as dueling riffs crescendo. Yost’s musical sensibilities only ever continue to expand, as he has spent the past years moonlighting as prolific beatmaker Billy Ghost. It will be exciting to see how (if at all) his affinity for sampling eccentric sound clips will bleed into the new album. As for now, The Kickback slot into pole position as one of the most eagerly-anticipated returns of 2025.

The Kickback’s upcoming third record is slated for release later this year under BIG LIE RECORDS. Listen to “Very Nice Time” down below: