REVIEW: Kill Tuco — Apples (SINGLE)

Colin Jordan
2 min readDec 30, 2024

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Kill Tuco’s new single “Apples” is a throwback with a twist. This Hawaii-based band channels the late ’70s and early ’80s garage rock, power-pop, and New Wave sounds like they lived through it. (Spoiler: they didn’t.) It’s high-energy and tight, with just enough rawness to keep it honest.

From the jump, “Apples” grabs you with jangly guitars and a thumping backbeat. The bassline is bouncy and infectious, anchoring the track like a dancefloor magnet. The drums hit hard but clean, giving off that frat-party chaos energy without going overboard. It’s loud but never messy. Like a polished keg stand.

Connor Purington’s vocals are sharp and sly, carrying the kind of cheeky charisma that makes you want to sing along — even if you don’t know the words yet. The harmonies? Spot-on. It’s confident, a little sarcastic, but sincere where it counts.

The guitars are the real stars here. That opening riff is pure surf rock swagger, mixed with some power-pop punch. Think The Cars meet The Ramones on a beach somewhere. The solo midway through is short and sweet, slicing through the mix with a clarity that screams “we had a pro in the studio this time.” (Shoutout to Tommy Osuna, because his touch is obvious.)

Clocking in at just over three and a half minutes, “Apples” doesn’t waste time. There’s no filler, no overthinking. Just riffs, hooks, and good vibes. It’s like a sonic time capsule. You could easily imagine it blasting over a Pinto car radio back in the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bezsrW6XLpE

But don’t let the party vibes fool you. The lyrics have depth. Sure, it’s a breakup song, but it’s more reflective than sad. It’s about finding yourself in the messiness of moving on. Searching for sweetness in a sour situation. Hence the title.

And let’s talk production. This is Kill Tuco’s first track with a pro producer, and it shows. Every element is balanced, every sound deliberate. It’s still them — DIY roots intact — but with an edge that could take them far beyond their Waikiki residency.

Fans of alt-rock, classic rock, and even a little surf punk will eat this up. The polished rawness (yes, that’s a thing) is just fun. “Apples” doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it makes it spin fast and smooth. Sometimes, that’s all you need.

So, mark November 28 on your calendar. When this drops, hit play, turn it up, and let Kill Tuco remind you why rock will never die. “Apples” is proof that the old-school sound still hits just right. Simple, bold, and unapologetically fun.

Colin Jordan

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Colin Jordan
Colin Jordan

Written by Colin Jordan

Graduate: McNeese State University, Avid Beekeeper, Deep Sea Diver & Fisherman, Horrible Golfer

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