In the middle of the “lockdown years”,The Peppermint Kicks released their debut album, a ten track collection of retro workouts, pretty much guaranteed to thrill fans of the musicians involved. Like many releases on the Rum Bar label, it received positive praise from the underground press, but didn’t really reach beyond “cult status”.

That wasn’t going to stop The Shang Hi-Lo’s Dan Kopko and The Amplifier Heads’ Sal Baglio collaborating on a second round of songs, of course, and four years later, The Peppermint Kicks returned with ‘Pop Rocks In My Chewing Gum’, a record that shared their combined talents in a slicker way.

In October 2025, the band issued ‘Gigantor’, a chunky sounding number that really flaunted the Kicks’ sometimes rough and ready appeal. Now, they’re back with the catchy ‘Number One Record’, a track that celebrates a love of music via a simple lyric about wanting to be on the radio. Its shamelessly fun stance is coupled with a sunny arrangement where punchy drums and busy basslines set a very 70s mood in place, and a jubilant chorus blends harmony vocals and handclaps for that ultimate bubblegum hit.

A more critical ear might suggest that Kopko’s slightly gravelly lead vocal feels a little at odds with the feel good sound, but those already familiar with with his past work with Watts will greet his semi-raw approach like an old friend, and in time, the juxtaposition of rough and smooth actually starts to sound more natural. In terms of the Peppermint Kicks’ work, this is one of their best tunes to date, and even with a rough edge, it’s a near timeless pop rocker.