Teen Angst - "Let (Pull Through)" / "Cheeseburger"
Western Australia is pretty far from New York City, but Perth four-piece Teen Angst caught my attention with their 2019 lo-fi gem, Not So Vitriolic. I think I may have stumbled upon it while exploring the depths of Bandcamp, but no matter how I discovered it, their warm sound cut me deep. Their lo-fi aesthetic is awash with nostalgia and has sprinkles of summer afternoon melancholy that could perfectly soundtrack an old home movie. They’ve coined their own genre as “anti-social pop,” citing their lovelorn lyrics that expound on loneliness, but their songs also feature the kind of jangling melodies prominent amongst their compatriots out East like Twerps, The Stroppies, and The Goon Sax.
Tomorrow, the band is releasing a new double-single, “Let (Pull Through)” and “Cheeseburger.” We’re excited to premiere both tracks here on Look At My Records!
Both “Let (Pull Through)” and “Cheeseburger” paint relatable, everyday portraits of isolation and battles with inner demons. The former more directly confronts these struggles, as frontperson Michelle Yeoung describes days that seemingly blend into one another and the challenge that comes with gathering the strength to overcome the tribulations of an emotional rough patch. Through the tennis metaphor of a “let,” she admits that it’s “hard not to drown,” but scrapes through these repeated challenges amongst a backdrop of ringing guitars and a verse of call and response lines with guitarist/backing vocalist Connor Patmore.
“Cheeseburger” is a brief, but very pleasing ode to the late-night munchies that kicks off with a wall of infectious jangle and a rollicking bass that’s reminiscent of classic Australian guitar-pop like The Go-Betweens and The Primitives. While its burger-centric on its face, the lyrics again depict a relatable situation of isolation - one where you’re tossing and turning, alone with your thoughts, and have an insatiable hankering for a cheeseburger.
Stream “Let (Pull Through)” and “Cheeseburger” below. Follow Teen Angst on Spotify and Instagram. Check out their Bandcamp to hear the rest of their awesome tunes!
