Review: Kaiser Chief’s single ‘Burning in Flames’

By Jess Joy, Rock At Night Toronto

Review: Kaiser Chiefs, “Burning in Flames”- Release date January 19, 2024

Thank goodness for the upbeat delight “Burning in Flames” just released by beloved Brits, the Kaiser Chiefs. It’s a single off their upcoming new album Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album (out on March 1^st). You’ve certainly got to hand it to bands who’ve sustained their careers through decades in the music business, and with this poppy new track, the Kaiser Chiefs deftly move into another year.

Dripping with retro-disco grooves “Burning in Flames” delivers the hooky danceability we’ve come to expect from this band. The first 20 seconds of the song greet us with an effected vocal overlaying atmospheric synth and strings. It almost feels like something the hip-hop/pop sensation The Weeknd might do. This atmospheric build up gives way to disco string runs, a danceable beat, and of course the memorable and belt-along-able chorus. Throw in the swaggering verse vocals and you’ve got yourself a hit (I reckon).

The Kaiser Chiefs music has always felt ready for dance floors, but with this fun new track I’m seeing an even poppier side to these indie-rockers. Sitting somewhere between the cool rock of the Arctic Monkeys mixed with the poppy production of Coldplay, this song indicates an embrace of a bold new sound for 2024.

But whatever the new album holds, I think it’s safe to say the Kaiser Chiefs will continue to deliver us upbeat belters for tearing up dancefloors and forgetting about an increasingly stressful world.