REVIEW: Bilmuri - KINDA HARD

A band that is rooted in various genres ranging from R&B to **checks notes** Crabcore, might sound strange in theory, but in actuality BILMURI have just released a belter of an album on this lovely Friday morning. The thirteen track album blurs lines between Metal and Country and somehow makes it seamless. The band have created such a unique sound for themselves and this album consolidates just that.

BILMURI are seen as a band full of unseriousness but behind the charade of frivolous song titles and explicit jokes their musical talent is something to behold. Being in the industry so long John Franck has evolved exponentially, being the power behind BILMURI. Their songs lyrically are open and vulnerable, speaking of heartbreak and explaining emotions in brilliant analogies.

Of course the most important thing about the music is the music itself. The album opens with the title track KINDA HARD, a minute and a half long instrumental. It's a metal and hardcore onslaught, reminiscent of tracks by artists like KNOCKED LOOSE. The instrumental perfectly transitions into the first full track TWICE. This track was released before the album along with the announcement of the album itself and received well widely as it set a new era for the band. WORST PART OF YOU is the first of the new tracks on the album. Being the second full song on the album it sets the tone for the whole album. The bouncing beat carries you through the song as the guitars build through the pre-chorus before the catchy chorus sweeps you up with an addictive hook and guitar riff. It also features a signature “woo” that you hear through a lot of their more recent tracks, this somewhat becomes a highlight when performing it live as the crowd shout in unison. The breakdown on this one is heavy with distorted guitars and quick slick drum fills that hit every beat satisfyingly. 

ROCK BOTTOM is the next track; the band constantly talk about the importance of being loud about mental health and this track absolutely brings about that attitude, being very loud and open about what ultimately is common and should be discussed. John Franck's voice itself is what really brings a country tone to their music, being from Ohio in the US, he keeps that real American tone that you see a lot of other artists try to shift to something else. The country timbre is accented with acoustic guitars and other almost choir-like vocals - and an eagle scream here and there -  but they never overshadow the metal roots which is what makes it so masterful.  The following tracks MORE THAN HATE and HARD2TELL are also both pre-releases that were performed at many recent shows including during their opening slot on BAD OMENS most recent tour. The first of which sometimes featured lead vocalist Noah Sebastian of BAD OMENS to walk out onto the stage, scream one word and then leave - hilariously, also pointing to prior speculation that he could be featured on the track as the two frontmen are long time friends. The two tracks are some of the heavier on the album both bringing something unique to the table but hitting with the same punch, really fitting to be featured side by side in the final line up. 

The next track WHERE TO FIND ME features NOVELISTS, a French metalcore band from Paris. Another thing that BILMURI do great is their collaborations, having other bands join their unique sound and fit in perfectly isn't an easy thing to do but they smash it every time. The track has an impressive guitar solo towards the second half of the track before a crashing breakdown with a hardcore beat where you can picture the jumping crowd.   ST4RF1SH SPR34DR is a thirty second instrumental yet it's possibly the heaviest breakdown in the album, the distortion melts through your ears and the bass blasts straight to your brain and as soon as it's started the track is over. A very fun thing to feature in the middle of an album but it doesn't feel out of place at all, just a quick punch before the next track kicks in. 

SHYT FYST starts a bit slower with echoing guitars, the drums build around the vocals before the chorus picks up the pace. A perfect two stepping beat with an explosive bass line, switching beats multiple times through the chorus and its lyrics are bound to get stuck in your ears. The soundscape the band creates is almost nostalgic with this underlying hopeful tone despite its almost depressing lyrics when you really take a look “nothing left to give you so take a good hard look at me for the last time”.  The next track was another pre-release and complete surprise collab with A DAY TO REMEMBER. ALWAYS LET YOU DOWN features the two lead vocalists going back and forth and singing together, both of them bringing a distinctive tone to the track. This track is possibly the most pop punk influenced of the album, a really jumpy hyped up rhythm with a classic electric guitar riff and hard hitting pauses in the beat. It's worth noting this track also features the writing credits of the BAD OMENS front man, an image posted on socials last year created the first mutters of this collaboration that finally came to fruition. 

BACK, THEN enters as we get to the last few tracks of the album, all being brand new with this release. This track is more guitar heavy with different layers of acoustic and electric all weaved together. Since the start, BILMURI have spanned a wide range of genres before finding what we would call their own flavour, this track is a great example of what that is sonically.  The second to last track HONEST kicks off right away with the ever so famous saxophone. Gabi Rose playing a permanent part in this band, has offered her talents to many other bands and of course she's great every time but BILMURI is where her talents are the perfect missing puzzle piece. Her saxophone solos have become a huge part of the BILMURI sound and her vocals layer flawlessly with John Franck's; it's like the two were made to make music together. 

WAVES is the last track on the album and the most vulnerable, there's a few tracks like this through the band's discography. It’s mellow and raw, centred around a feeling of grief and it's honestly an extremely comforting track. John Franck’s vocal abilities are really highlighted in this one with Gabi Rose’s harmonies dancing along with his. But it still saves time for a breakdown with shredding guitars and a tearing beat, keeping the same emotional tone before once again mellowing out to just an acoustic guitar and one last “heartbreak hits in waves” from John Franck. 

This album solidifies the BILMURI sound and portrays what the band can really do, its so distinctly them, its relatable, its catchy and its bringing them to popularity. With this album the band have announced a huge world tour -  which has multiple UK stops - and feels to be the start of something great for this band. Having supported many bands and huge names in the scene right now they’ve had the chance to play some huge shows, now we want to see them headlining. 

Score: 10/10

KINDA HARD was released on 10th April 2026 via Columbia Records.

Words: Amy Smyth

Photos: BILMURI