REVIEW: Boox Kid - Barang Ngarang Kadjin (SOS)

Wed 6 February ’26. The year's kicked off ready or not and we’ve already seen a solid start for Blak music. To make things even more electric, Boox Kid has given us a special sneak peek at his new single 'Barang Ngarang Kadjin (SOS)' released last week! A feel-good track that’s destined for the charts.

Jarred Wall known as Boox Kid (WAM Vocalist of the year 2025) is a cross-genre Noongar (Wadandi Bibbulmun) artist working across songwriting, production, sound design, theatre and opera.

Barang ngalang kadjin, meaning 'Hold Our Souls' or 'SOS' in Noongar, is the first single from Boox Kid’s second EP Kalyakoorl (Forever), out May 2026. This track feels like we’re catching up with a friend you haven’t seen in while but you pick it up right where you left off. Written and produced by Jarred Wall and Dylan Ollivierre, mixed by Dylan Ollivierre, mastered by Ben Feggans. Noongar language translation by Jarred Wall and Kobe Morrison.

After hitting play we are met with an intro spoken in Noongar and a string arrangement that feels like a Noir film. Which is an appropriate stepping stone into the Billie Jean drum beat (that we all love), and all of a sudden it’s like a hand has extended an invitation to the dance floor. The groove in the verse is spacious and feels like something's coming. A warm keys sound, nice full bass and we can feel some air in the room.

This space creates a perfect setup for the chorus to blossom with sprinkles of colours that feels like when you used to run under the sprinkler as a kid. Props to Jarred Wall and Dylan Ollivierre! (I’m a sucker for a good string line).

But the lyrics are hinting at something deeper. Directed at someone close to you but gone or here but leaving soon. With reassuring lines like “Don’t be afraid my dear, you’re not alone out here. It’s not your time don’t fear, no need to worry” sung with a flowing melody like a curtain caught by a breeze. But I feel the real treasure in this tune is in the language preservation.

Mob all around this continent have been finding new and innovative ways to keep the oldest living human languages in the world alive. From children’s books, songs and school resources to audible dictionary apps and language centres. Our communities have found ways to keep our languages even in times when speaking them was outlawed. Speaking, singing and even thinking in lingo is a form of resistance in the modern colony. Our languages are one way for us to know whose Country we’re on just by understanding how people in that place greet each other.

Boox Kid has highlighted the power of connection to place, people and Country all while making you tap your foot. Feel-good, indie-pop, disco vibe with a bit of a nod to Rex Orange County in there. This happy track gives us something to look forward to. Go for a cruise along the coastline on a nice day and throw this song on in the car.

Stay tuned for the EP drop in May you mob! I’ve got a feeling we’re in for a cross genre, versatile mixed bag of lollies.

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🎧 Listen to Boox Kid – Barang Ngarang Kadjin (SOS)

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Words by Jack Hickey

Photo by Jessica Wyld