It’s been four years since the Toronto, Ontario quartet Kiwi Jr. released a new album, but that’s all about to change. The group returns with another slab of joyous indie rock that jangles and jumps with sonic joy in the form of its fourth album, Blowin’ Up (K/Perenial Records) scheduled to be released on 8/14/26. This time around, the explosive pop/punk outfit has tapped Protomartyr, Stef Chura, Fred Thomas, Margaux Bouchaudon of En Attendant Ana, & Kerri Maclellan of Alvvays, featured on the release. Kiwi Jr. shares the second single off the album, “Pure Michigan,” along with its video.

Singer/guitarist Jeremy Gaudet:   “I’d been trying to write a song about the Detroit – Windsor border for a couple of years; American kids crossing the bridge to the Canadian bars because the drinking age is two years lower. Once we had the studio dates in Detroit booked to record the album, it became really important for us to finish writing the song, because it was too topical to miss. Some friends from Michigan helped get the details in the lyrics right.  Mike directed the video, which was shot between Detroit and Windsor with some small digital cameras this spring.” 

Director / Kiwi bassist Mike Walker:  “We wanted to blur the line between documentary and performance piece while maintaining a fly-on-the-wall vibe. Everybody took a pass behind the camera in the spirit of creating a lo-fi, home video, Kiwi verité.” 

Tour dates:
Fri Aug 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
Sat Aug 22 – Kingston, NY – Tubby’s
Sun Aug 23 – Brooklyn, NY
Fri Nov 6 – London, UK
Sat Nov 7 – Leeds, UK – Hyde Park Book Club
Sun Nov 8 – Brighton, UK – Hope & Ruin
Mon Nov 9 – Brussels, BE – Botanique Rotunde
Tue Nov 10 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
Wed Nov 11 – Rotterdam, NL – Rotown
Thu Nov 12 – Paris, FR – Hasard Ludique
Fri Aug 21, Philadelphia, Johnny Brenda’s (with 2nd Grade and Log Flume)
Sat Aug 22, Kingston, NY, Tubby’s (with 2nd Grade)
Fri Sep 18, Chicago, Riot Fest
Fri Nov 6, London UK, Pitchfork Festival, Moth Club (with Alien Boy, Bleary Eyed)