Koizumi’s single 17 is an unflinching dive into the turbulent waters of self-doubt and ambition, delivering an experience that is both cathartic and deeply relatable. With a raw emotional core and a timeless pop-punk energy, the track is an ode to the struggles of chasing dreams that feel perpetually out of reach. The DIY production style only amplifies its authenticity, creating an unvarnished sound that mirrors the imperfections and chaos of the emotions it explores.
The lyrics, penned by Josie after a particularly poignant concert experience, encapsulate the visceral turmoil of unrealized potential. Lines like “Feels like I’m falling with no safety net” and “Feels like my soul is picking rose petals but he loves you not” are poetic in their pain, blending vivid imagery with stark vulnerability. The refrain “If only I wasn’t such a loser” carries the weight of internalized failure but also the kind of self-deprecating humor that feels distinctly pop-punk—a genre known for turning pain into anthems. The closing line, “I’ve been saying that since I was 17,” captures the cyclical nature of doubt, marking the song as a reflection not just of a moment but of an enduring existential struggle.
The musical arrangement is a perfect storm of nostalgic and contemporary influences. Drawing from the anthemic power of early 2000s pop-punk bands like Fall Out Boy and Paramore while nodding to Japanese artist LiSA’s emotive intensity, Koizumi crafts a sound that feels familiar yet fresh. The rhythm guitar drives the song with relentless momentum, while the vocals soar and simmer, capturing every nuance of frustration, yearning, and hope. There’s an energy to the track that is timeless, it could have filled the airwaves in the heyday of MTV’s pop-punk dominance, yet it feels equally relevant today in a world where many listeners are rediscovering the catharsis of this genre.
17 is the kind of song that feels tailor-made for a Hollywood teen movie soundtrack. You can easily imagine it underscoring a pivotal montage of self-discovery or a bittersweet ending where the protagonist, bruised but not broken, walks away stronger. Its blend of emotional intensity and driving melodies makes it an ideal fit for the cinematic drama of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, where themes of resilience, identity, and defiance reign supreme.
The performance video accompanying 17 is as captivating as the song itself. Set against a stripped-down, almost guerilla-style aesthetic that reflects the band’s DIY ethos, it captures the raw energy of Koizumi’s live shows. Josie’s presence is magnetic, her delivery a seamless mix of vulnerability and defiance, while the band as a whole radiates the chemistry and passion that have come to define their sound with an out of this world guitar solo to boot! Watching it feels like being transported to a packed basement show where every lyric echoes in the hearts of the crowd, a communal release of emotions.
Koizumi has achieved something rare with 17 – a song that speaks to the disillusionment of youth while carrying a universality that transcends age or era. It’s an anthem for the dreamers, the underdogs, and anyone who has ever felt like they’re standing on the edge of greatness, only to watch it slip just out of reach. With its timeless pop-punk spirit, raw emotional core, and cinematic appeal, 17 doesn’t just belong to this moment; it’s a song that will resonate for years to come. We have added the track to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist!