MOOCH – KIN

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · June 30, 2025

Montreal, Canada’s heavy rocking and fuzzed out blues trio are back with a new album called KIN. MOOCH has released 2020’s Hounds, 2023’s Wherever It Goes, and 2024’s Visions, as well as the Cabin EP. KIN is the band’s fourth LP and their first with Canada’s excellent record label, Black Throne Productions. The album is barely a full length, clearing around thirty five minutes with eight (more like seven) real songs presented. However, it’s those seven tracks, that are nicely packed fully with the heavy rocking jams, soaring melodies, and such an incredible and authentic sound of what real modern day hard rock can sound like.The lineup consists of Ben Cornel on guitar, bass, and vocals, Julian Iac on guitar, bass, vocals, keys, and percussion, and Alex Segreti on drums, percussion and vocals.

I discovered MOOCH at the very end of last year and really enjoyed their exceptional 2024 release, Visions (review here). The band really impressed me with their sheer talent and catchiness to their songs that grabs ahold tightly. I was really excited to hear that the band decided to go with a little heavier and immediate rocking approach with this new record. They brilliantly splash on the melody and harmonies that make them sound so damn appealing, but the band came full speed ahead with the fuzzy riffs and big hooks on this one. The only minor complaint I have with this album is the pointless “YR4” introduction track. The minute and a half build up of atmospheric and spacy sounds is not necessary to begin the album with.

With that being said, when “Meteor” kicks in right after the brief drum fill start, it’s game on! The excellent instrumental rocker pumps out an intoxicating groove throughout its fiery two minute performance. MOOCH are in full amplifying worship mode from the very start of “Meteor” and they don’t hold anything back. To accommodate the fuzz ripping guitar tones and full bashing percussion, the rhythm section is more elaborate with these seven tracks. The bass playing is adventurous and dazzling with these tunes and the music explores an orchestrated inclusion as the keys lighten up midway through the track. It’s a subtle but powerful statement that spikes a new-ness and vitality. The next song entitled “Sunburner” was the first single released from the album. It’s definitely a high energy and fuzz raging song that is just excellent! It has that dirty hard driving sound that propels everything ahead for miles on end. MOOCH showcases their vocal talents and musical acuity while totally raging on the 90’s flavored grunge vibes adjacent with the heavy psychedelic blues riffs. The band has magnificently blended in both styles and when it becomes most vital to execute both, they deliver the atomic bomb!

The next track presented might be arguably the band’s most ear worming song ever. “Hang Me Out” holds on to the energetic shock waves that “Sunburner” scorched just prior, but sinks in the melody hooks. The crunchy and simple rhythm lends itself to the vocal dynamics and powerful chorus. MOOCH knock off some great guitar leads too that further enhances the overall sound. By the time the next song begins, the band has already set you up for a more mellow and cleaner sounding start. “Prominence” checks off more musical boxes and has a tasteful and engaging output of tones. The lush and colorful vocals ignites the song into an intriguing and introspective musical journey. The band has the type of sound that is always in growth mode. They continue to explore and expand their musical reach far beyond what anyone can expect or imagine.

Track six is another incredible one called “Lightening Rod”. The song is a fabulous collaboration of heavy, melodic, and catchy movements, as the band are primed for. I feel really drawn to some of the lyrics presented on KIN. I find myself connecting particularly with the message of the song “Lightening Rod”. MOOCH has a nice positive spin to some of the words that can make all the difference in the song, for how it connects with me. “Gemini” is another home run song that mixes in the glorious melody with the hard rocking riffs. The band continues to explore their music deeper with some progressive textures reminding me of Roger Waters-era of Floyd, merged with current classics QOTSA and maybe some Truckfighters. The band even further elevates their sound on the final track, called “Zenith”. It really could be separated into two tracks as the first part of the song, takes you on a fascinating cruise. It’s an adventurous instrumental piece that heightens all of the musical senses. It has a great rock flow, with prog-like rhythms and jazz components. The first part of the song fades out before five minutes and returns around fifteen seconds later for the second part. The last three or so minutes has the band exploring a more atmospheric, ambient, and cosmic sound scape that they signaled from the very beginning of the recording. It works out just as well being the capper to an exquisite and incredibly amazing album.

I find it quite striking that MOOCH was able to craft such an important and impressive record this year! Running off of the clarity and momentum of Visions, MOOCH is shooting for the stars with this one! I knew that KIN would be great but I don’t think that I was prepared for this massive riff rock achievement. Despite landing in late on this quarter, MOOCH are a worthy contender for album of the year with KIN. It sounds like it’s their most focused, put together, and hard rocking album yet, and the band continues to impress me with every new listen. Don’t sleep on this band because they will blow you away! (and also screw up your end of the quarter list).