Norwegian band Korean Cars will release their debut mini-album, #1, on May 23 through Mas-Kina Recordings. The group comes from Follo, Norway, and blends post-rock and post-hardcore styles to create music that feels intense, emotional, and full of energy.

While many new metal releases this year are loud and aggressive, Korean Cars offer something different. Their music still has power, but it comes through layers of atmosphere, textured guitars, and emotional melodies. The songs are filled with both quiet, thoughtful moments and bursts of chaotic noise, always shifting in unexpected ways.

Korean Cars includes members from other Norwegian bands like Rumble in Rhodos, Infidels Forever, Arms on Fire, and Insense. These musicians bring years of experience and a shared love for songwriting that feels honest and powerful. Their music has influences from bands like Explosions in the Sky and Trail of Dead, with sounds that feel both cinematic and raw.

The songs on #1 mix careful guitar work with sudden vocal bursts and dynamic changes. You might hear a soft, echoing part one moment and a loud, crashing section the next. This gives their music a strong sense of movement and emotion. The use of effects pedals adds extra texture, helping each song feel rich and layered.

Fans of alternative rock, post-rock, and noisy guitar music from the '90s and 2000s will likely enjoy what Korean Cars are doing. Their sound is both fresh and familiar, bringing new ideas while also showing love for past scenes. Korean Cars build tension the way Explosions in the Sky do, layering delicate guitar lines before crashing into huge, emotional climaxes. Their raw, distorted sound and shifting dynamics also recall Trail of Dead at their most unpredictable and charged.

Korean Cars are an exciting new voice in the world of post-rock. Their debut feels focused and creative, filled with strong feelings and smart songwriting. If you’re looking for music that balances intensity with thoughtfulness, this is a band to watch.