Album Art for Future Teens “Breakup Season” LP due out on Sept. 6 via Triple Crown Records & Take This To Heart Records.
By: Lizzie Baumgartner
The summer is winding down and those flings are coming to an end, sometimes abruptly, as the carelessness of the long days and starry nights are replaced with inconsistent weather patterns that make you want to become a homebody until it stabilizes. Or your summer bud is moving away to school, another gig, going on tour or the flame was extinguished by one of the random down-pours that rolled through Chicago during a bonfire-soggy, disappointing and with no chance of reigniting.
“Breakup Season” is the falling climax of every dysfunctional romantic relationship I ever had.
That’s where bummer-pop Boston emo rockers Future Teens second LP comes in with their crafting scissors, raspy vocals, glitter glue and sick riffs file in to pick up the abandoned pieces left behind to conjure the adolescent innocence, heartbreak and nostalgia many people search for during their weekly therapy session, while wondering why they have commitment and coping issues.
Even better though, is that in the new age of dating disconnect, lack of sex and a rampant openess to consistent sadness, Future Teens harvests all of these into a bouquet that your ex gave you on your anniversary that you ultimately burned because the relationship terminated shortly thereafter.
“I wanna set my iPhone on fire,” annoyance is the primary tone which comes out of singer and guitarist Amy Hoffman’s mouth before detailing the negatives that comes with dating apps, and how you get there once your significant other bows out. Which leaves you wondering why people “super-like” one another when they aren’t able to carry a conversation in “Swiped Out.”
The opening track “Happy New Year” slowly introduces the thesis of the album. Hoffman soulfully yells “I’m not okay!” with raw emotion that resonates with anyone who has ever felt lonely or hurt after the loss of a relationship.
“Frequent Crier” is the first signal off of the new album and it’s catchy poppy riffs blended with how some cope with being overwhelmed. Which, means crying anywhere that seems closed-off and safe. And maybe even crying at your own birthday (because you want to and can).
Future Teens says they are “not liable for any emotional distress caused by listening.”
A fair and reasonable disclaimer warning, since while listening I felt collectively seen and attacked from the lyrics and rhythms from “Breakup Season” which comes out on Sept. 6 via Triple Crown Records and Take This To Heart Records.
If you dig their sound, or like getting emotionally damaged by it (because you’re a bit of a masochist, too) you can check them out on their upcoming tour with Oso Oso and and The Sidekicks.
And for the Chicago Fellow Emo Listener’s, Future Teens roll through on Sept. 18 at Beat Kitchen. More info here.
Favorite Tracks:
-Swiped Out
-Emotional Bachelor
-Happy New Year