Artists You Should Know: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Reconcile with their 20s on New Album “I Love You”

Australian band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are reshaping punk and power pop in their image with the release of their debut album I Love You. They will also be embarking on a headlining tour in support of the album this month — as well as opening up for Foo Fighters on their stop in Melbourne.

Comprised of childhood friends Anna Ryan (vocals), Scarlett McKahey (guitar/vocals), Jaida Stephenson (bass), and Neve van Boxsel (drums), the quartet came together to release a handful of singles beginning in 2017. It didn’t take long for them to enthrall an international fanbase with their Riot Grrrl-era ferocity and alluringly unapologetic candor.

For their debut record, the quartet contends with the chaos and angst of their 20s. Whether that’s lamenting the tangible disparities between having fun as you get older — as on the rivetingly punchy “I Used To Be Fun” — or giving voice to the boiled-over frustration of putting up with selfishly thoughtless housemates/friends that explodes on “Treat Me Better.”

Subscribe to Grimy Goods newsletter White Font

This post may contain affiliate links, and Grimy Goods may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our independent, fan-powered media network.

On its title track “I Love You” they pair jaunty rock melodics with wry romance as sizzling riffs peel the varnish off their repeated affirmations — revealing an earnest desperation to gloss over the bad with words of love. “Salt” (feat. The Grogans) weighs in on more heartache with a dismally bittersweet duet that captures the electrifying anxieties of new love.

But the changes that the people around us undergo can sometimes be the most upending and on “AHHHH!” they endure the rising tide of red flags buoyed by a rollicking melody. While the thunderous “Lights Out” romps confidently toward a reclamation of unabashed sexuality. The driving lo-fi of “Toe Bone” emerges as a rousing listing of all the things the quartet loves and elicits love from.