Seraphina Lotkhamnga on July 27th, 2012

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Some people may know Kyle Thomas from the trio Happy Birthday, but it’s his scuzzy solo project, King Tuff, that’s getting a lot of attention now.  Following up his debut “Was Dead,” Vermont-based King Tuff’s new self-titled record on Sub Pop is chock full of everything adored by garage-rock fans. Sugary pop seeps its way into the fuzzy riffs; bratty lyrics are delivered with an astonishing sneer; and it all seems to bypass the brain in favor of sweeter spots. In fact, producer Bobby Harlow (The Go, Conspiracy Owls) suggests you don’t: “Rock ’n’ roll is meant to be blasted into your cells, penetrated, and absorbed. It’s a visceral experience.” And he’s right when it comes to songs like “Keep On Movin’.” But there are layers there that won’t go unnoticed either. King Tuff may playfully describe himself as “a bad, bad, bad thing” in the rollicking “Bad Thing,” but when his vocals explode, it’s more of a declaration that he could care less about you think. And somehow, that’s charming.

||| Download: “Bad Thing”

||| Also: Grab “Keep On Movin'”

||| Live: King Tuff plays tonight at the Echo with Jaill and The Coathangers.

||| Watch: The C. Thornhill Dewitt-directed music video for “Bad Thing” after the jump.