Album Review: Medium Build - ‘King of Having Fun’

Medium Build- aka Nick Carpenter, is one of those rare artists who treats genre as a suggestion, rather than a mold. A bold move for any artist that’s sun is still rising, but one that is clearly working.

Carpenter is back at this week, with his latest effort, King of Having Fun. An album that feels like Carpenter is coming into his own. It’s loose, it’s loud, it’s tender, it’s joyful. It’s honest. This album lands like his pièce de résistance.

We were lucky enough to catch Medium Build in August, when they opened up for Mumford And Sons. Carpenter gave us a glimpse into the new album, sharing “Home Depot” and “Armor”with the crowd, the latter being one of the emotional high points of King of Having Fun. Carpenter’s stage presence makes one thing clear: he’s having an absolute blast up there. Tossing the typical in ears for giant headphones perched on his head like a signature accessory- he performs with the kind of joy you can’t fake.

With a song titled “Home Depot” you’d expect the lyrics to truly lean into the joke-something throwaway, another song to fill space on an album. This track is proof that you really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Behind the unserious title, with affecting lyrics. The kind that turns a Sunday trip to the Home Depot into a moment of real emotional weight.

“Armor” is upbeat, catchy, and instantly relatable. Wrestling with something heavier underneath-Carpenter has a way of turning self-reflection into a hook. The chorus citing There I go again/ Projecting on you/ I hate myself/ So I turn it into art/ It’s something dumb/ Put my armor on/ No one can hurt me when I put my armor on.

King of Having Fun is a tad messy-in the best way. Intentional or not, it lands. It feels lived in….human. The exact kind of emotional candor and honesty that tends to connect with people.

King of Having Fun is out everywhere tomorrow, and watching Medium Build’s star rise is going to be one hell of a fun ride.

Songs of Note: “Armor”, “Home Depot”, and “In My Gut”.

Rating- 9/10