Pillow Queens - Kiss Kiss Review: A Chaotic Slice of 90s-Inspired Indie Rock

By Chris Kennedy | Published 13th Oct, 2026

Since forming back in 2016, Dublin indie rockers Pillow Queens have built a reputation for heartfelt songwriting, anthemic guitar-driven tracks and live shows that feel like one big collective release. However, following the departure of drummer and backing vocalist Rachel Lyons, the band have found themselves heading in a slightly different direction.

With their songwriting previously built around a four-way creative process, the remaining trio began experimenting with drum machines and loops, opening the door to a fresh approach. Their first outing as a three-piece came with ‘Be A Big Girl’, a track that marked a noticeable shift in sound for the band.

Now they're back with their latest offering, Kiss Kiss, a chaotic slice of 90s-inspired indie rock that takes their new direction even further. Packed with fuzzy guitars, infectious riffs and a healthy dose of distortion, it's another interesting step forward for a band who clearly aren't afraid to shake things up.

A Blast of 90s Indie Rock

There's a definite 90s feel running through Kiss Kiss, with the track opening on a steady drum loop before a thick, rumbling bassline enters the mix. It doesn't take long for the guitars to kick in, bringing a rough-edged, slightly chaotic sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

The guitars are a big part of what makes the track work, switching between infectious riffs and walls of fuzzy distortion. Dreamy synths drift in and out, adding another layer to the mix without taking away from the gritty guitar sound that drives much of the song.

Vocally, there's a raw, moody quality to the delivery that fits perfectly with the track's restless feel. Layers of vocals gradually build through the chorus, giving it a slightly dreamy edge while the guitars continue to push things forward. It's messy in places, but very much in a good way.

As the track reaches its closing moments, things get even more chaotic. Thrashing rhythms, frantic guitar lines and heaps of distortion come crashing together, bringing Kiss Kiss to a noisy, full-throttle finish. It's the kind of ending that makes you want to turn the volume up and give it another spin.

Love, Lust and a Little Bit of Chaos

Behind all those fuzzy guitars, Kiss Kiss is a song about the intoxicating early stages of love and lust. It captures that feeling of being completely swept up in someone, even when you know there's a good chance things could get complicated further down the line.

Speaking about the track, Pillow Queens explain:

Kiss Kiss, is about desire in its most volatile form: intense, physical, cyclical, where attraction and connection get knotted up with chaos. It's a dreamlike, unstable feeling of going with it anyway, a ‘fuck it, it'll be grand’ surrender. You recognise the cost, but throw yourself into the madness of love regardless, risking it all for that euphoria, which is really what we're all here for. Desire and love override logic.

A New Chapter for Pillow Queens

Following up Be A Big Girl, the new single suggests that Pillow Queens are becoming increasingly comfortable with their new setup. The introduction of drum loops and electronic elements hasn't taken away their guitar-driven identity, but it has given them a few new tricks to play around with.

What's particularly interesting is how naturally those elements sit alongside the band's familiar indie rock sound. There's still plenty of grit and guitar noise to get stuck into, but the looser, more unpredictable approach gives ‘Kiss Kiss’ a character of its own.

Final Verdict | Pillow Queens Kiss Kiss

Kiss Kiss is a cracking follow-up from Pillow Queens, blending 90s-inspired indie rock with fuzzy guitars, dreamy synths and a wonderfully chaotic finish. It's rough around the edges, catchy in all the right places and shows a band willing to try something different without losing what made them so appealing in the first place.

If this is the direction Pillow Queens are heading in, we're certainly looking forward to hearing what comes next.

The single, Kiss Kiss, is available through all streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: Rich Gilligan