Following the spirited trajectory of their debut, ‘Back Of Our Heads’, The Kids in Spacesuits return with a collection that trades outward energy for a deep, introspective adventure. The project’s latest offering, ‘Sound of the Engines’, released on 1st March 2026, is a thirteen-track collection that artfully navigates the complex terrain of queer identity, the hollow ache of absent friends, and the quiet persistence of happiness.
While the previous record shone with the bristling potential of alt-pop and rock, this new record feels like a more inwards and experimental slice of life. It’s a sophisticated and wonderfully eclectic evolution, placing raw human experience at the centre of a glistening, synth-driven landscape.
Beginning with ‘Intro’, a haunting collaboration with Grace Lilly, the album delivers a striking opening. By pairing a remorseful message with chilling piano notes, it immediately sets a sombre tone that is all too familiar and relatable. This emotional gravity persists into ‘Stay a Little Longer’, where the vocals are delivered with a fragile hope that feels both intimate and precarious against a minimalist piano backdrop. However, the album is far from a monochromatic affair.
‘SHE’ injects a shot of contemporary vitality, blending driving percussion and a rhythmic sway with textures that feel pulled straight from a 70s fever dream. It is a standout indie-pop moment, balancing melodic darkness with an infectious, steady pulse, as well as an awakening, offering the first real glimpse into the album’s style. ‘Cheap White Bread’ follows suit, revealing its inventive layers with a satisfying, rolling sound.
While a personal collection, the collaborative elements act as brilliant milestones through the record. Expanding the emotional narrative, Katie Creaghan’s contribution to ‘Everybody’ provides a soaring, crystalline highlight, while the return of Grace Lilly on ‘Entr’acte’ offers a moment of grounding through its ascending harmonies and delicate, hushed atmosphere.
As the record nears its conclusion, it takes a theatrical turn with the help of Christian Fuchs. His spoken-word delivery adds a dramatic, poetic weight to the soundscapes, providing a necessary counterpoint to the more restless, unpredictable pop energy found on tracks like ‘What Do You Do?’ and ‘Vollyball Skirt’.
In its most vulnerable moments, the album evokes the early, genre-blurring brilliance of Patrick Wolf during his early years, breaking into life with ‘Lycanthropy’ and ‘The Magic Position’.
At its heart, ‘Sound of the Engines’ is a brave exploration of finding one’s footing in the world, proving that even in the midst of profound loneliness, there is a path forward. It’s textured, tempered, and perfectly reflective of the journey, creating a gorgeous moment that is well worth exploring.
You can stream the new album above, and for more from The Kids in Spacesuits, join the project today on Instagram and YouTube.
