Genre-bending alt-rock group Rainbow Kitten Surprise have returned with their latest single “Dang,” out now via Atlantic Records. Arriving just in time for the peak of summer, the track channels everything fans have come to expect from the North Carolina five-piece: driving guitars, emotionally charged vocals, and a chorus built for shouting at full volume with the windows down. It’s the band’s first new release since February’s “Espionage,” and a sign of the energy still building behind their 2024 tour run.
“Dang” lands with a music video that pays homage to the cult film Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Set in East Nashville, the video follows a real-life couple as they race across the city in pursuit of a secret rooftop concert. Along the way, they dive into karaoke bars, weave through alleyways, and fall into moments of joy, frustration, and connection—ultimately capturing the electric anticipation of chasing a night you won’t forget. It’s a modern twist on the classic teen indie adventure, framed through a queer lens and backed by Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s signature cinematic sound.
Frontwoman Ela Melo leads the track with vocals that cut through the mix with clarity and urgency, her performance delivering both punch and intimacy. The arrangement builds steadily from a clean guitar riff into a surging, shout-along hook that hits squarely in the territory between festival anthem and late-night catharsis.
On creating this song, the band shares, “When we wrote this, we envisioned tracking it with Jay Joyce and it’s pretty legendary that actually came to be. Dang is loosely based on a performance that drew inspiration from ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.’ The song is both an ode to some earlier RKS sounds and also a letter to the fans who have supported us through many iterations of the band. For your enjoyment, here’s Dang.”
“Dang” has already started making its way into live sets during the band’s current tour, and early crowd response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s Thanks For Coming Tour has been a significant draw throughout 2024, with a run of sold-out amphitheatre shows and livestreams reaching global audiences via Nugs. Fans attending the shows have been treated to some unreleased songs, further fuelling speculation about new material on the horizon. The tour continues through October and includes a sold-out performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre—marking the fourth time the band has sold out the iconic Colorado venue.
In support of the tour, the band has also launched the Rainbow Kitten Surprise Fund in partnership with PLUS1. For every ticket sold, $1 will be donated to organisations working in LGBTQ+ rights, mental health access, and food sovereignty. The initiative reinforces the band’s long-standing commitment to inclusion and equity—values that have always been central to their identity on and off stage.
With “Dang,” Rainbow Kitten Surprise continues to do what it does best: create music that captures emotional complexity while remaining grounded in joy, defiance, and community.
Tickets are available at https://www.rksband.com/#tour
