Los Angeles’ best-kept secret is out of the bag with Fortune Cookie, the full-length debut from Jangus Kangus that transforms Jasmine Sankaran from underground cult figure into indie rock’s next essential voice. This is imagist garage surf at its most brilliantly conflicted—where raw punk energy collides with sardonic wit and sudden bursts of melodic tenderness, all delivered with the lyrical precision of someone who’s studied heartbreak like a forensic scientist.
Sankaran operates in a thrilling space between self-laceration and triumphant defiance, casting herself as both villain and hero across eight tracks that feel like flipping through a particularly juicy confessional diary set to music. The album’s genius lies in its contradictions: it’s scrappy yet sophisticated, vulnerable yet viciously clever, effortlessly cool yet meticulously crafted. Backed by her tightest band yet and elevated by producer Mike Post’s magic touch, these songs crackle with the energy of their legendary live shows while revealing new depths with each listen.
From the deceptive country-swagger of “You Only Love Me When” (a toxic love letter disguised as a lazy afternoon stroll) to the St. Vincent-esque guitar labyrinths of “Honeymooners in Venice”, Sankaran treats genre like a playground rather than a prison. The desert-rock punch of “Janakita” shows she can rattle bones when needed, while the linguistic acrobatics of “High Rise” prove her wordplay matches her musical chops. Every track feels like discovering a new room in a fascinating house—one where the walls are covered in both poetry and graffiti.
What makes Fortune Cookie truly special is how it captures that particular LA alchemy of sunshine and shadows. Sankaran’s California roots shine through in the album’s playful eclecticism, yet there’s always a knife hidden in the beach towel—these are songs that smile while drawing blood. Having cut her teeth supporting artists like Hana Vu and Holy Wars, she’s emerged with a sound that’s wholly her own: too smart to be simple, too emotional to be clinical, and too damn catchy to ignore.
A coming-of-age album for misfits who never quite fit the mold, Fortune Cookie announces Jangus Kangus as one of indie rock’s most exciting new voices. Sankaran may sing about questionable decisions, but releasing this album wasn’t one of them—it’s a career-defining work that demands repeat spins and promises even greater things ahead. Connect With Jangus Kangus on Instagram and Spotify
