The Unlikely Candidates

Childhood friends Kyle Morris and Cole Male launched the hook-driven indie rock outfit known as the Unlikely Candidates back in 2008, initially operating as an acoustic duo. The addition of guitarist Brenton Carney, bassist Jared Hornbeek, and drummer Kevin Goddard allowed the Fort Worth, Texas group to broaden their garage-kissed stadium rock aesthetic toward more expansive horizons. A deal with Atlantic Records in 2013 paved the way for their first EP, Follow My Feet. Their catchy single "Your Love Could Start a War" made an impressive Billboard impact upon its early 2016 arrival. That year was followed by a pair of EPs in 2017, specifically the earworm-forward Bed of Liars alongside Danger to Myself. Momentum built significantly in 2019 thanks to the streaming success of "Novocaine," which topped the Alternative Songs chart. The subsequent release of the sharp and melodic tracks "High Low" and "Gemini" in 2020 meant that all three songs featured on the band's inaugural full-length album, Panther Island, which surfaced in 2022.