The second quarter of the year tends to bring the most anticipation for new music since the summer is just around the corner. Everyone wants to find their go-to summer single to lounge by the poolside with. However, this is when some of the best spring singles come into play, more specifically lesser-known bands.
Teenage Wrist is an alternative-rock band based out of Los Angeles, and since their record, "The Earth is a Black Hole” in 2021, they have come back with a new single that is a stark contrast from their earlier work. Having bright undertones and just the general vibe of being high on life, Teenage Wrist is shedding some light on some of the forgotten spring singles.
Lyrical Overview - 9/10
As referenced previously, this song takes on a different approach from the usual tone of their music. In songs like “High Again” from their 2021 release, the undertones remain sad. However, with “Sunshine," that does not seem to be the case.
This is a happy song. It is about someone recognizing their trauma, and trying to live in spite of it. This is evident in the lyric “Feel a little sunshine in spite of your past lives.” This song is gorgeous lyrically, and having this sort of song is going to make people think a little differently of bands like Teenage Wrist, who are typically seen as all doom and gloom.
Another lyric that seals the deal is “When you’re feeling small, remember that it’s not your fault.” This is referencing that sometimes what happens in someone’s life is out of their control, and nothing good comes out of thinking about how it could have played out differently. It is a great mantra and one that more people should try to abide by.
Musical Overview - 7/10
This song leans more toward the industrial side as far as rock goes. In listening back to some of the band’s previous songs, “Sunshine” is not nearly as mellow as their 2018 release "Chrome Neon Jesus," which was generally laid back in nature.
While the backing track is very easy to get hooked too and will get stuck in someone’s head for days, it does not mesh as well with the lyrics. This is not always a bad thing, but it would have been interesting to hear the vibes of some of their previous songs go with the positive nature of the lyrics.
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Overall, I would give this song an 8 out of 10.
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