Rainbow Kitten Surprise — RKS (Debut)

Debut Album on Black Vinyl or Compact Disc Originally released in April 2015, RKS is Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s debut album. At 11 tracks and just over 40 minutes, it’s the record that introduced the Boone, NC, indie folk-pop band to the world — and it still sounds like nothing else. The album blends indie rock, alternative pop, and folk with a lo-fi, unpolished production aesthetic that feels intentional rather than rough. Songwriting credits belong to Ela Melo, and the band leans into vulnerability — lyrically and sonically — with a rawness that became their signature. The arc moves between anthemic momentum (“Run,” “American Shoes”) and heavier introspective territory (“Cocaine Jesus,” “Bare Bones,” “The Comedown”), covering themes of love, escapism, restlessness, and emotional honesty. Released: 2/2/24