Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial

Car Seat Headrest
Teens of Denial
2016
Spotify

From the moment Teens of Denial begins you can tell that you are in for something new, something different. Will Toledo, front man for Car Seat headrest, is so proficient at writing smart, poignant and cutting indie rock that this record takes on a life of it's own. The production is light years ahead of Car Seat Headrest's previous releases allowing his writing to take more of the stage. Toledo is also backed by a full band on this record which gives it a much bigger and more relatable feel. There is almost a Sufjan Stevens quality to Toledo's writing and arrangement but instead of going the big band and orchestral route like Sufjan did on Illinois He goes more rock. The structure of the songs is also a really interesting choice. Instead of sticking with the usual four minute formula, Car Seat Headrest let's songs build and develop over time producing some seven minute and even eleven minute songs. Usually this would be off putting but the songs take on a life of their own and even at seven minutes you still find yourself wanting more. The overarching theme of disgust with people that Toldeo calls "Teens of Style" is peppered throughout the record. Toldeo even goes in to the time He took acid and mushrooms and came out the other side really feeling nothing and scoffing at the folks who say they did. Being inauthentic is a major concern of his, both in his music and life, and the amount of it He sees in the world is staggering.

The lasting line of the song "(Joe Gets Kicked Out of School For Using) Drugs With Friends (But Say's This Isn't a Problem)" is "Drugs are better with friends and friends are better with drugs". The indie aesthetic is fully embraced on this record from the typical fuzz or deadpan delivery. While this sometimes can be a detriment when it feels forced through Car Seat Headrest it is totally organic and just fits. Teens of Denial is really not an album to dive in to lightly. The themes and the music are all quite heavy despite their somewhat light feeling. A song like "Drunk Drivers/Whales" feels like it should be a love song or something happy from the intro, but it ends up being much more self aware and introspective. While Car Seat Headrest might not be the triumphant resurgence of guitar focused Indie Rock it certainly is some of the best we have heard of it in a long time. Depression is always on Toldeo's mind throughout most of the album but instead of sitting in it, or treating as an opportunity to go super positive, He sees it as a chance for change and a chance to recognize what is actually in your own head. A super well written record and a breathe of life into a genre that sees to be fading away.

8.9 out of 10