Triton V8 by Chloe Kimes

Chloe Kimes is gearing up to release her second album "Daredevil" in October.

It’s been a while since Chloe Kimes released a new single, but with this one comes the big news of an album release date. Just before her brilliant Thanksgiving show in London, I wrote about her three 2025 singles. We’ll wait for you to read about them if you wish.

It is Triton V8 that Chloe releases today. Before we listen, it might be worth mentioning that a Triton V8 is actually an engine, not a vehicle. To add to the confusion, British fans are more likely to think of Triton classic motorcycles. I’m already starting to regret that hour on Google. Maybe she does mean the motorbikes?

British country music fans have had to educate themselves on all manner of vintage vehicles. The car that sprang to mind first was the Chevrolet El Camino: it’s a car from the front and a truck from the rear. The Triton meanwhile is designed for Ford trucks and other utility vehicles and one can imagine it guzzles gas like it’s going out of fashion [It is. Ed.] while sounding like July 4th fireworks.

There’s a Colorado cowboy
Sitting in Durango
I wonder how quick he is

Today’s song is inspired by life on the road as a working musician. Maybe the third or fourth thing I learned about CK is that she does a lot of miles. There is no way to exaggerate this. She drives a lot of them herself and appears to be on the road every week. I am given to understand she recently flew back from Finland, surely a 10-hr flight, then jumped in a car without sleep to travel to the next gig, pausing only for a shower. Even if this is only half right it is impressive.

No hard act to follow
Gonna keep my act in line
When the miles become tomorrow
I’m alone again each time

There are a lot of words in Triton V8. One of its attractions is that you figure out another line every time you listen. It has a steady rhythm that would be just as good on a train ride as a road trip. And yes, she’s still swigging and swallowing Coors Light to help the nights pass, possibly with a little grass.

Daredevil

Chloe has also recently announced an October release date for her second album, Daredevil, in which she appears in a sort of Evil Knievel jumpsuit. It looks like she is about to be fired out of a cannon. It is available for pre-order already and she has this to say about the meandering journey it has taken her on.

"Daredevil is a product of my consideration of fear. These songs come from my own leaning into and up against it, acknowledging joy and abundance in its negative space. I made this record independently, a labor of love and severe will made possible by the support of my friends and family. Being a songwriter, touring musician and especially an unsigned independent artist for all of the last decade has felt akin to what I can only imagine it is like to be a stuntman shooting oneself out of a cannon into an unknown abyss and hoping to stick the landing. I remain challenged and humbled endeavoring forth in this industry, and do so with gratitude. This album is a reflection of my life as I currently feel it, looking fear in the eye and holding tight to as much thanksgiving for this life’s offerings as I can grip.”

I found this striking because the very last thing I associate with CK is fear. Where other musicians sing about being in a bar at 4am in a low place, worrying about the future and dwelling on the past, Chloe exudes fun and hijinks, japes and painful laughter. The nearest she got to a bar song was the unforgettable Coors Light, and that is also funny as hell. Every silver lining has its cloud and alas you will have to wait a few more months for the rest of the album, but it will be worth the wait.

Chloe Kimes has a wonderful way with words and knows how to put a catchy tune together. Her website has all the information and I hardly need to mention is on tour right now. Chloe is a regular on both Instagram and TikTok. And she is completely independent so head on over to Bandcamp to pre-order her sophomore album, Daredevil.