Wizard of Ahhhs
| Wizard of Ahhhs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | August 2007 | |||
| Recorded | Spring 2007 | |||
| Studio | The Glow, Jacksonville, Florida | |||
| Genre |
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| Length | 15:09 | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Producer | Jesse Mangum | |||
| Black Kids chronology | ||||
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Wizard of Ahhhs is the debut EP by American indie pop band Black Kids, self-released in August 2007 as a free download via the band's Myspace page. The four-song collection played a pivotal role in launching the band’s career amid the rise of the late-2000s "blog rock" era.
Background and release
[edit]Black Kids recorded Wizard of Ahhhs in spring 2007 at The Glow recording studio in Jacksonville, Florida, with local musician and producer Jesse Mangum. The EP was initially distributed as a free digital download through Myspace and later through the band’s official website until early 2008.
In 2008, Columbia Records and Almost Gold Recordings reissued the EP on 33 ⅓ RPM 10" vinyl and as a promotional CD.
The band recorded eight tracks during the sessions, seven of which were later re-recorded for their debut album, Partie Traumatic; the remaining song, "Designs on AKA You," was not officially released until 2022.
In 2022, Science Project Records issued a limited-edition vinyl compilation titled EXTENDED AHHHHHHHS, featuring all eight tracks recorded in 2007 at The Glow.
Track listing
[edit]Original 2007 EP
[edit]All lyrics are written by Black Kids; all music is composed by Black Kids.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hit the Heartbrakes" | 3:37 |
| 2. | "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You" | 3:32 |
| 3. | "Hurricane Jane" | 4:27 |
| 4. | "I've Underestimated My Charm (Again)" | 3:33 |
| Total length: | 15:06 | |
2022 expanded edition
[edit]All lyrics are written by Black Kids; all music is composed by Black Kids.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hit the Heartbrakes" | |
| 2. | "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You" | |
| 3. | "Listen to Your Body Tonight" | |
| 4. | "Designs on AKA You" | |
| 5. | "I Wanna Be Your Limousine" | |
| 6. | "Hurricane Jane" | |
| 7. | "Love Me Already" | |
| 8. | "I've Underestimated My Charm (Again)" |
Personnel
[edit]- Reggie Youngblood – vocals, guitar
- Ali Youngblood – keyboards, vocals
- Dawn Watley – keyboards, vocals
- Owen Holmes – bass guitar
- Kevin Snow – drums
Musical style and themes
[edit]The EP blends elements of indie pop, post-punk revival, and new wave with danceable rhythms and bright, dual-vocal harmonies. Critics highlighted the contrast between upbeat production and emotionally vulnerable lyrics about desire, jealousy, and self-doubt. Pitchfork described its "tightly executed, irresistibly catchy songs" that "put a memorable stamp on pop’s classic themes," noting Reggie Youngblood’s playful and androgynous lyrical delivery, particularly on "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You."[1]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork Media | 8.4/10[1] |
Wizard of Ahhhs received widespread acclaim upon release, quickly spreading through music blogs and online communities. Pitchfork awarded the EP an 8.4/10 and named it Best New Music, later placing "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You" among its Top 100 Songs of 2007.[1] Rolling Stone gave "Hit the Heartbrakes" 3.5 out of 4 stars.[2] The New York Post listed "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You" as the #2 best song to download of 2007.[3]
The EP’s tracks received airplay on BBC Radio 1, including support from Zane Lowe,[4] Rob Da Bank,[5] and Colin Murray.[6] Treble described the release as "wonderfully crafted, with hooks enough for each song to become a single".[7]
The buzz from Wizard of Ahhhs led to major-label attention, extensive touring, and the band’s signing with Quest Management, which also represented Arcade Fire and Björk.[8]
In December 2007, Kate Nash performed a cover version of "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You" on French radio station Ouï FM.
Legacy
[edit]Wizard of Ahhhs is often cited as one of the defining releases of the mid-2000s indie blog era, demonstrating how internet word-of-mouth and Myspace distribution could catapult a previously unknown band to international visibility. The EP’s rapid success helped position Black Kids among a wave of acts—including Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Arctic Monkeys—who achieved global attention through online virality rather than traditional promotion.[9]
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | August 2007 | Digital download | Self-released |
| United States | 2008 | 10" vinyl, promo CD | Almost Gold, Columbia |
| United States | 2022 | 12" vinyl (limited edition) | Science Project Records |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Marc Hogan (2007-08-22). "Black Kids: Wizard of Ahhhs EP Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ O'Donnell, Kevin (November 1, 2007). "Downloads: Black Kids "Hit the Heartbrakes"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
- ^ Huhn, Mary (December 28, 2007). "207 Best Songs to Download from 2007". New York Post. Archived from the original on January 1, 2008. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1 – Zane Lowe – Tracklisting". BBC Radio 1. BBC. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1 – Rob da Bank". BBC Radio 1. BBC. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1 – Colin Murray". BBC Radio 1. BBC. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ Terich, Jeff (October 31, 2007). "Black Kids: *Wizard of Ahhhs* EP". TrebleZine. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ Maher, Dave (17 October 2007). "Black Kids Have a Manager, Gigs, No Label Yet". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
- ^ "15 Years After the Internet Broke Them, Black Kids Reflect on Fame and Florida". Jacksonville Music Experience. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
