What makes Black Balloon EP by The Kills notable?

This EP features the title track, which received significant attention and was praised for its compelling blend of dark themes and catchy hooks. It helped solidify The Kills' status within the indie rock scene during the late 2000s, leading to increased radio play and festival appearances. The Black Balloon EP followed The Kills' critically acclaimed second album, 'No Wow', marking a period of heightened visibility for the duo. Released in 2009, it served as a bridge between their earlier raw sound and more polished work while showcasing their consistent evolution as artists.

How many songs are on Black Balloon EP?

Black Balloon EP has 3 tracks, running approximately 9 minutes.

Black Balloon EP

The Kills · 2009

9 min · 3 tracks · indie rock

Raw garage rock energy meets haunting melodies, creating an atmospheric blend of grit and emotion.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Black Balloon — The title track encapsulates the EP's mood with its swirling melodies and evocative lyrics about longing and loss, making it a standout representation of The Kills' style.
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Weed Killer — This track combines gritty guitar riffs with a driving beat, showcasing the duo's ability to craft catchy yet edgy tunes that resonate with listeners.
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44 — With its minimalist instrumentation and haunting vocal delivery, this song highlights the band's darker lyrical themes, demonstrating their depth beyond energetic garage rock.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong songwriting and a cohesive sound while maintaining a raw energy characteristic of The Kills.

What we noticed

The title track opens with a slow build, featuring layered guitars that create a haunting atmosphere before the tempo picks up.
Each song features a distinct structure, with 'Weed Killer' employing a call-and-response vocal style that contrasts with the more straightforward delivery in '44'.
The EP's three tracks maintain a consistent raw sound, with lo-fi production elements that enhance its gritty aesthetic.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Black Balloon 3:46
2 Weed Killer 2:36
3 44 3:16

What to play next

Listen next

Blood Pressures

2011

Go back to

Midnight Boom

2008

Full The Kills discography Where to start with The Kills Artists like The Kills

garage rock indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata