pop

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

6th Oct 2023 — Leave a comment

So this is what it means to be all grown up…

Teen Jesus and Jean Teasers taken by Michelle Pitiris

Doodles in your daily planer, a pen leak in your zoom meeting, ruler drumsticks at grey desktops. When did life get so dull? You swear you used to be fun.

Australian band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers know all about this rude awakening called adulthood, the daunting realisation that you’re on you’re own and all your friends live far away.There’s food in the fridge going out of date and you’ve got bills to pay, but who’s to say you’re no fun anymore?

I Used To Be fun by Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers 2023

Made up of Anna Ryan (guitar and vocals), Scarlett McKahey (guitar), Jaida Stephenson (bass) and Neve van Boxsel (drums) the band are setting the tone for new wave indie pop. Formed during a sleepover when they were all in their mid teens back in 2015 in which the teen friends were watching Richard Linklater’s School of Rock. Their song I Used To Be Fun is an allegory of growing up.

From their latest album I LOVE YOU, I Used To Be Fun utilises jagged vocals and shredded guitar riffs the band dissect the notion of ageing, stripping back the once comforting embrace of childhood for the island of independence only to realise , the choices and decisions we make now impact our own lives and shape our future. Embracing adulthood means embracing the uncertainties and complexities that come with it, as we learn to navigate the intricacies of relationships, career paths, and personal growth. It is a time of transformation, self-reflection, and personal growth, where we come to understand that being an adult is not merely about age, but about taking ownership of our lives, embracing our passions, and charting our own course in this vast and ever-evolving world.

Up for almost anything now

Everything’s too much

Got one foot out the door I guess this is growing up

No excuses or reasons for why I couldn’t come

Should I leave the lights on?“

With an electrifying display of musical prowess and unparalleled harmonies, this talented band captivates audiences with their unique blend of self-deprecating humor and heartfelt songwriting. Their evolved sound has expanded the boundaries of their music, showcasing a newfound confidence that resonates throughout their diverse repertoire.

Their duet with The Grogans on track ‘Salt’ a sound makes strength out of sand after a situation left a soul stranded, scrabbling for something to keep them in place, so beautiful and raw, Salt has depths flooded with both direction and desperation a powerful allegory of building yourself up again, a testament to resilience whilst the title track I ❤ You aches over fixation and unrequited love and the subsequent regret navigated in Never Saw It Coming. Band dynamics, personal relationships and camaraderie all feature strongly, demonstrating that through union, good humour and self awareness can overcome adversity’, that a voice that is heard becomes the most powerful weapon against the disbelievers, sometimes to heal our wounds is to show them.

Salt by Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. 2023

This follows on from the vulnerable elements effortlessly explored their rambunctiously passionate and poignant debut EP Pretty Good For A Girl Band. It lays the foundations for who they are as a band and what they stand for, challenging any preconceived perceptions this band creates their own prophecy.

Escaping the boundaries of gender identity, they are simply the defining sound of the new era of the music industry, a witty two fingers to those that have denied them the voice to their own musical prowess, their auditory abilities simply because who they are does not fit with predetermined ideals.Despite these prejudicial conceptions the EP is not filled with bitter bangers instead using the opportunity to hold up a mirror to the naysayers, trailblazing the way for a constructive conversation that challenges these archaic beliefs that is holding the industry back.

 Scarlett McKahey (guitar) ,Anna Ryan (guitar and vocals), Jaida Stephenson (bass) and Neve van Boxsel (drums) make up Teen Jesus and Jean Teasers. Credit to Ruby Boland.
Miss Your Birthday by Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers 2022

One of my favourite tracks on this EP the infectious ‘Miss Your Birthday’. This anthem is not just about catchy beats and addictive melodies, it’s a powerful reminder of finding strength when you feel powerless. With their unbreakable bond, undeniable passion, and raw talent, this band is about to blow your mind! Despite the energetic elevation of the track it covers deep distress felt by those facing independence and isolation for the first time, evocative of the lockdowns of 2020 as well as the daunting planet of adulthood.

‘I need a break from living near the freeway

All the high beams keep me up too late

Don’t take this the wrong way it’s not to do with you but I’m running out of clothes and I need a clean bathroom

Need a break from living out a suitcase‘

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers captured by Michelle Pitiris

Guitarist Scarlett McKahey explained that it was a haomge to homesickness, the fine edge between ‘wanting to be back at your Mum’s cosy house without abandoning your new ‘grown up’ life. “. Sometimes to go home does not mean to give in, it allows you to get back to your roots so you can grow again.

Navigating adulthood often feels like being trapped in an intricate escape room, where the clues are written in a language you struggle to decipher. Despite having a place to call your own, you find yourself living out of a suitcase in your childhood bedroom, longing for the comfort of your mother’s cooking. Your housemates, who often seem to be in a perpetual state of chaos, add to the overwhelming journey of adulthood. Although you may have convinced yourself that you’re ready to be a grown-up, deep down, you realize that you’re still a child trapped in a 20’s something’s body, trying to make sense of it all. It can be quite overwhelming at times, so sometimes you have to miss someone’s birthday, if only you could miss your own.

Since 2015 the band has built up quite a repertoire full of soul wrenching ballads, energetic anthems and choral inspired pop classics. Supporting Foo Fighters in Melbourne in December they are on to BIG things and should be on your playlist, especially if you’re not quite ready to grow up yet and you’re definitely still fun…

Olivia Rodrigo releases: Bad Idea Right?

21st Aug 2023 — Leave a comment

You promised yourself you wouldn’t see them again…

Olivia Rodrigo 2023

We all have those silly stories we recall with both a sense of shame and glee, reliving those rash decisions we made for the plotline, covering our reddening faces as our friends re-enact some embarrassing stunt we pulled off last Saturday night.Olivia Rodrigo’s second single from her upcoming album Guts Bad Idea Right’ explores the narrative, offering a comedic take on a familiar conundrum.

We eavesdrop on the narrator’s internal monologue as she navigates the intertwining halls of temptation and humiliation, pride and shame. We all know where she’s going to go, as she ‘unintentionally’ gets lost down the rabbit hole of lust, desire and regret, all sympathetically rolling our eyes when she lies unconvincingly pleading that she simply ‘tripped and fell into his bed’.

Olivia Rodrigo music video for Bad Idea Right?

Bad Idea Right is like reading the girls group chat on a messy night out. Your friends are convincing you that you’re ex is awful, that you’re worth more but you’ve had a wine,a woo woo and a vodka shot or two and it’s only a text, it’s only a taxi it’s only a stumble to his bed, besides you’re just doing what sober you is too proud to do. You’ve been there before so what’s once more?

This internal battle whether to keep your head held high, after all you know your friends are right, or to give in to temptation, you wan them back but it’s not even really like that it’s just a filler, someone to do whilst you wait for true love, being in that bed is as simple as shoulder shrug.Rodrigo is infectious, voicing all the times we’ve given in, falling asleep in the right bed to waking up in the wrong one, the realisation of what we’ve done.

Olivia Rodrigo from the music video for Bad Idea Right?

Her debut album Sour explored heartbreak, self worth and identiy whilst her new album, Guts set for release September 8th, seems to be about rebelliousness, self exploration and hedonism in the face of adversity. Self destructive tendencies have the propensity to come disguised as empowerment, especially after a drink, or in a moment of darkness they come heralding a candlelight of serenity that soon turns out to be a burning beacon, setting yourself on fire.

You have a word with yourself in the bathroom mirror of a house party, you laugh as you see their name flash upon your phone, an echo of old times, memories of strawberry ice cream and Billy Joel, but that’s all it is a figure of what once was they can only wave at you, you can never wave back, you can never go back, you can return to their arms, to their sheets but they will be different, as are you, so if you do stumble back there don’t think you’ll be staying.

Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo

Nostalgic yet refreshing, this song is evocative of naughties pop, musical remnants of Lindsay Lohan’s Drama Queen with a bite of Avril Lavigne’s attitude, Rodrigo has created a sound that is cheeky and blameless, mischievously shameless, perhaps not the ear worm that Drivers License and Good 4 You still are but an insight into a new era this perceptive, singer songwriter star is entering.

Please drink responsibly and legally.

Caity Baser Drops two new tracks- DILF and Why Can’t I Have Two?

10th Aug 2023 — 1 Comment

ummm if you’re not over 18 I’d probably give this one a miss…

Caity Baser

If youthful energy and vibrancy was a sound it would be Caity Baser. Known for her breakout bangers X&Y and Friendly Sex her latest releases:Why can’t I have two? And DILF, exude a similar ebullience. Listening to either are like staying awake into the early hours of a girls sleepover, a couple of margaritas and a few red wines into the night, a face full of chocolate and self care, all of us confessing our controversial crushes and flirtatious fantasies, a room full of laughter, an audible union, we have fun here.

Why can’t I have two hosts my favourite musical line of the year ‘man don’t like to share you nah, have you never heard of something called ménage à trois’ it defines the feel good fun, whiplike wit and insatiable sound that Baser has become renowned for.

Why Can’t I Have Two? (2468) by Caity Baser

Empowering and explosive ,Why can’t I have two explores adventurous sexual fantasies, why settle for one when there are so many options to fulfil your needs. Baser has said the song is about ‘when you fancy someone and then fancy someone else at the same time, which socially that is not acceptable. BUT I was thinking why on EARTH can’t we have two? When you like two people for different reasons why can’t you have two? It’s the debate I’ve been having in my mind and now you can think about it too. You can have two! Fuck it, have 3.”

The track is propelled by a soft drumbeat, lifted by Baser’s hard hitting vocals, you can hear her laughter in each syllable. This groovy pop beat banger will stay in your head all day, it’ll have dancing on your commute to work, toe tapping at your desk and on top of tables come Friday night.

DILF by Caity Baser 2023

DILF is definitely risqué, controversial and one you wouldn’t play at your boyfriends parents house but that’s what makes it all the more enjoyable. Baser divulges into a narrative, confessing feelings for a partner’s father, a DILFy distraction from a flirtatious fling. Lingering eyes are definitely bound to make the relationship awkward, if he’s looking at you but you’re looking at his dad, but Baser makes it fun in her no filter, sparklingly sharp way. The song itself is upbeat, with layered harmonies offering a comedic, choral element to it, its okay because everyone finds him fit. The sublime blend of melody and sing speaking to create that uplifting feel of familiarity, a call back to the noughties when Lilly Allen was Queen is what makes this track so delicious.

What makes it more sensational, DILF is based on a real life scenario, about Baser’s friends father who she described as “So hot – he was in the navy and it’s so distracting when I go over. I’ve never made a tune about DILFs before so I’m happy I’ve explored this concept and had so much fun when doing it too.”

Baser seems to be living her best life, building up her fan base and playing a slew of festivals including YNOT, Boardmasters, Reading and Leeds. Baser is the first pop of champagne on a Friday night, she is waking up and feeling fine after drinking several glasses, maybe a bottle or two, she is the cheers to youth and putting yourself first, reminding us that if it’s not fun its not for you.

Discover more of her music here!