Establishing the mood with a whirring bassline and a fierce rising electric guitar with cerebral synth frequencies, Art Pop open teenage scum with a notion of dimensionality akin to the opening moment of a Gregg Araki film.
The opus expands with a grunge vocal with a vintage tinge and self-realized prose about being “teenage scum…”. It reminds us a bit of Nada Surf‘s Popular, especially with regard to the delivery and themes that the song touches upon.
The message itself is hugely zeitgeist and what a lot of Gen Alpha might be feeling right now – despondent, overworked despite being in their teens, and living in a reality that might appear to be crumbling around them, whilst only being able to make friends on apps alone because of the dystopian reality that has emerged. Art Pop confess, “teenage scum is a cathartic release of always feeling put down for being yourself.”
We learn that the track was recorded in their parents’ home in Austin, and serves as a preview of Art Pop‘s upcoming LP, This Is Art Pop. The creators, Max and Miles tell us how the track is a reflection on themes of “loneliness, longing, and frustration with the world”. Despite Miles’ departure for college, the brothers overcame the distance by collaborating virtually.
Art Pop cite LCD Soundsystem, Lou Reed, Radiohead, The Strokes, Pavement, Car Seat Headrest, and Randy Newman as influences, which we can feel manifest with their raw authenticity, but there is also no doubt that Max and Miles are creating a universe unto their own.
Naturally, we have added teenage scum to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Art Pop, including December Sun, and Blue House, and preview the release of their album via Bandcamp!