Photo Credit: @sheisaphrodite
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers have just released their first album, I Love You, via Domestic La La. The four-piece punk-rock band formed during high school in their hometown of Canberra, Australia and have been making waves on the local and international scene since forming in 2015. All four band members have taken on songwriting duties for the album and what they have produced can be considered their shared success.
Album opener I Used To Be Fun is an energetic explosion of lyrics and punk riffs. The band explain that the song “is about getting older and redefining the way you have fun”. Title track I Love You starts off slowly before delving into a punk rock journey of thrashing guitars and drums. Your House My House is an acoustic track with a section where all four members sing.
Salt is the band’s latest single featuring The Grogans, a fellow Australian band. Cayenne Pepper is only forty seconds long, which is a pity as the thrashing punk elements left us wanting more. Maybe one for the future?
By a long shot their most popular song to date is AHHHH!, which was released in July 2021. This is a standout track on the album with a catchy chorus and a Riot Grrrl feel about it. The song itself is “about navigating a relationship with someone you have known for a long time but their character changes,” lead singer Anna Ryan commented. “You find yourself making excuses for them and forgiving them when the answer is clear that sometimes you just need to ditch and move the heck on!”
Lights Out is a punk -inspired track with similarities to fellow Australian band Cable Ties. “Touch me/I want you only with the lights out/Want me/I want you only with the lights out” are the lyrics screaming Ryan. Never Saw It Coming focuses on a previous relationship with powerful lyrics “Fuck you for using me/Coz I never guessed that/I’d leave your bedroom with half of me still in there/I shut my mouth from the truth.”
The final track on I Love You is Kissy Kissy, a bold statement about a previous relationship with an overly manipulative man. There are some excellent lyrics and guitar melodies on this track and a great end to the album.
The songs on I Love You will be a delight to hear live and fortunately there’s plenty of opportunities on the horizon. Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are currently touring in Australia with DMAs and also have an upcoming support slot with the mighty Foo Fighters in Melbourne at the end of the year. 2024 is already looking busy for the band, who have also been announced as main support for The Vaccines in the UK and Europe – that’s one to look forward to!
8/10
Standout Tracks: Lights Out, Never Saw it Coming, AHHHH!, Kissy Kissy
For Fans Of: Cable Ties, Teenage Joans, Voiid
Written by: Alan Brown
