Rainbow Kitten Surprise Albums In Order Of Release

If you’re a fan of indie rock with a twist of raw emotion and quirky lyrics, Rainbow Kitten Surprise (RKS) has been your sonic companion through life’s ups and downs. Formed in the misty mountains of Boone, North Carolina, this genre-bending quartet—led by the captivating Ela Melo—has evolved from dorm-room jams to festival headliners. Their music blends folk-infused introspection with explosive alt-rock energy, tackling themes like love, mental health, and self-discovery.

In this guide, we’ll journey through Rainbow Kitten Surprise albums in order, from their humble beginnings to their latest release. Whether you’re revisiting classics like “It’s Called: Freefall” or discovering hidden gems, each album tells a story of growth. Dive in, hit play on the embedded Spotify players, and let RKS surprise you all over again. Ready to freefall into their discography?

List Of Rainbow Kitten Surprise Albums In Order

Rainbow Kitten Surprise Albums In Order: A Complete Discography Guide

Seven + Mary (2013)

Rainbow Kitten Surprise burst onto the scene with Seven + Mary, a raw fusion of their debut full-length Seven and the Mary EP, self-released in 2013. Clocking in at just under 40 minutes, this 11-track gem captures the band’s early DIY spirit—think lo-fi folk-rock with poetic lyrics that feel like late-night confessions. Ela Melo’s soaring vocals dance over fingerpicked guitars and subtle percussion, exploring youthful rebellion and fleeting romances. It’s unpolished magic that hooked festival-goers at Bonnaroo and set the stage for their rise. If you’re new to RKS, start here for that authentic, mountain-fresh vibe that screams indie authenticity.

Track list:

– Fail!
– Mr. Redundant
– First Class
– Shameful Company
– Seven
– Devil Like Me
– American Hero
– All That and More (Sailboat)
– Hey, Pretty Momma
– Black and White
– That’s My Shit

RKS (2015)

Building on their buzz, RKS dropped in 2015 via Split Rail Records, refining the chaos of their debut into a tighter, more adventurous sound. This self-titled sophomore effort spans 11 tracks of genre-defying indie, blending hip-hop rhythms with folk melodies and rock edges. Standouts like “Cocaine Jesus” and “Goodnight Chicago” showcase Melo’s vulnerable storytelling against Darrick “Bozzy” Keller’s intricate guitar work. At 42 minutes, it’s a road-trip essential—energetic yet introspective, capturing the band’s transition from college gigs to national tours. Fans rave about its replay value; it’s the album that solidified RKS as festival must-sees.

Track list:

– Run
– Counting Cards
– Wasted
– Cold Love
– Lady Lie
– American Shoes
– Cocaine Jesus
– Bare Bones
– Goodnight Chicago
– All’s Well That Ends
– The Comedown

How to: Friend, Love, Freefall (2018)

RKS’s major-label debut, How to: Friend, Love, Freefall, arrived in 2018 on Elektra and catapulted them to stardom. Produced by Jay Joyce, this 13-track masterpiece (37 minutes) is a masterclass in emotional alt-rock, dissecting relationships with razor-sharp wit and heart-wrenching honesty. Hits like “It’s Called: Freefall” and “Hide” went viral, amassing millions of streams and earning PBS Austin City Limits spots. Melo’s non-binary perspective shines through layered harmonies and dynamic builds, making it feel like a therapy session set to music. It’s their most accessible yet profound work—perfect for anyone navigating love’s freefall.

Track list:

– Pacific Love
– Mission to Mars
– Fever Pitch
– It’s Called: Freefall
– Holy War
– Matchbox
– Moody Orange
– Hide
– When It Lands
– Painkillers
– Recktify
– Possum Queen
– Polite Company

Love Hate Music Box (2024)

After a six-year hiatus, Love Hate Music Box roared back in May 2024, delivering 22 tracks of bold, experimental evolution over 67 minutes. Elektra’s release embraces electronic flourishes, hip-hop beats, and guest spots (hello, Kacey Musgraves on “Overtime”), while staying true to RKS’s lyrical depth on fame, loss, and resilience. Singles like “Superstar” and “LOL” buzz with pop hooks, but deeper cuts like “Ghoul” reveal raw vulnerability. It’s their most ambitious yet—chaotic, cathartic, and club-ready—proving the band’s undying spark amid lineup shifts. A triumphant return that demands a full spin.

Track list:

– Peter Pan
– Sickset
– Finalist
– LOL
– Lucky
– Meticulous
– Hot Pink Ice Cube
– SVO
– Code Blue
– Overtime (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
– Ghoul
– John Woo
– Low As We Go
– Bearwalk
– Superstar
– Cinderella
– Best Man
– Rabbit Run
– Daddy Yankee
– Drop Stop Roll
– Espionage
– Thanks For Coming

bones (2025)

Fresh off the press in September 2025, Boness marks RKS’s fifth studio album—a stripped-back, 10-track return to rootsy introspection (36 minutes). Self-produced vibes pulse through tracks like “100 Summers” and “Dang,” with Melo’s voice cutting deeper than ever amid gentle acoustics and swelling choruses. Themes of mortality and renewal echo the band’s post-hiatus rebirth, blending folk tenderness with subtle electronic whispers. It’s intimate, like a fireside chat, yet explosive in moments—earning rave reviews for its honesty. If Love Hate was the party, Bones is the profound hangover reflection. RKS at their most human.

Track list:

– Friendly Fire
– Hell Nah
– bones
– 100 Summers
– Murder
– Dang
– King
– Stars
– Texas Hold’em
– Tropics

There you have it—the full Rainbow Kitten Surprise albums in order, a discography that’s as surprising as their name. From scrappy beginnings to polished anthems, each release invites you to feel deeply and dance wildly. Which one’s your favorite? Drop a comment below, and if you’re craving more, catch their Thanks For Coming tour—tickets are flying! Keep surprising yourself with RKS; their music’s just getting better. 🎸