Kicker is the second studio album and major-label debut by American singer-songwriter Zella Day.

It was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America,[3] and peaked at number 25 on the US Adult Alternative Airplay.

[5][6] Prior to the release of Kicker, Day self-released her debut album, Powered By Love at age 13.

In a July 2014 interview with Turntable Kitchen, Day officially announced she was "working on a full-length album, which I’m planning on having out next year.

The track refers to the city of Jerome, Arizona, and mentions the mythical ghost of Zella.

[23] Lyrically, the song discusses a "sad reality amongst lovers...when the need to seek outside substances becomes the source of fulfillment in the relationship.

Day describes it as "a year of change, beauty, and turmoil, as was my life when [she] wrote the song.

"[32] On February 27, 2015, the album's lead single, "Hypnotic", was released and was accompanied by a music video that premiered on Spin.

[36] A music video was intended to be released to support the single, but was ultimately held back by her label.

[37][38] Throughout May, Day released fifteen-second snippets of album tracks on YouTube to promote the record.

On May 23, 2016, the third and final single, "Mustang Kids", featuring Florida-bred rapper Baby E was released to alternative radio.

The tour began on June 21, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri, and ended on October 7, 2016, in Tucson, Arizona.

Day made appearances at a number of high-profile events, including the iHeartRadio Music Festival,[40] Lollapalooza, and Coachella,[41] which caught the attention of the Los Angeles magazine, and described the performance as "hypnotic".

"[43] AllMusic gave Kicker three out of five stars, with reviewer Matt Collar describing the album as "a rootsy and engaging showcase for her pop theatricality."

"[23] Sputnikmusic comments, "Day is a multi-faceted artist who can, with very little warning, turn the tide from joyful and whimsical to dark and desolate.

[24] Jon Pareles of The New York Times stated that Day "sings about desire and self-destruction, about pleasure bound up with addiction, betrayal and surrender.