Post Description

Just in time for the height of leafy backroad drives and sleepy afternoons spent in a humid sun, Toronto’s most underrated folk-rock outfit Little Kid have dropped the ideal summer album. Transfiguration Highway is a beautiful exploration of self-worth and spiritual identity through a lens of religious mysticism. Toying with the theme of “transfiguration,” a religious term that describes the process of morphing into a more serene or spiritual state, Little Kid elevate everyday moments into poignant scenes. Full on folk-ballads compete with sparsely arranged sleepers as Kenny Boothby’s storytelling prowess weaves magic throughout. 
The nods to folk greats are plentiful. The opener, “I Thought You’d Been Raptured” mimics Dylan-esque phrasing and melodies to a terrific degree, simultaneously praising and poking fun at folk tropes by telling the story of a man who leans on his religious convictions to explain a disturbing discovery. “Thief on the Cross” tells the story of the rigamarole of musical accomplishments, the feelings of jealousy that accompany knowledge of another band’s successes. A repeating banjo drone and upbeat demeanor steer the track to an ending that features a circus-themed piano lick, a cheeky nod to the theatrics required of bands to successfully navigate the music industry. 
Folk storytelling is often weighed down by the obvious, and while Boothby dabbles in the straightforward narrative occasionally, Little Kid shines brightest when amplifying sentimentality found in the ordinary. Their quieter moments are the most enthralling. There is something special in the space created by their ethereal guitars and whining harmonica, as Boothby’s delicate voice quivers through stories that feel both fresh and familiar. “Transfiguration Highway” - featuring a literal drive down memory lane - showcases this talent brilliantly, evoking the melancholy longing for a place that no longer exists. The album ends with “Pry,” a delicately crafted tune whose gentle production amplifies the emotional deluge dredged up by each brush of a snare or strum of a string.

Transfiguration Highway is both comfortable and challenging, an easy listen that has so much more to give beyond the first time it hits your ears. Especially during this tumultuous time, I am grateful to find refuge in the warm genius of bands like Little Kid.