Neu Teen Mom

: Teen Mom
Based: Washington D.C.
Listen: https://teenmomdc.com
Similar to: Real Estate, The Smiths

There’s a prevalent yearning quality to the music of Teen Mom that on its own might perhaps be too melancholic, but when offset with a dry sense of humour the appeal begins to heighten. Their bio tells us initial writing sessions began whilst singer Chris Kelly was at university in Dublin “amidst influences of loneliness and Seinfeld re-runs”. With tongue in cheek it goes on to say “Kelly never talks of his time in Ireland”, but with lyrics like “I’m sad, ‘cause I really like sadness”, perhaps music is his forum for this particular kind of discussion.

Kelly’s aching vocals might be the first striking element of Teen Mom’s sound, but it won’t be the last. The band mix delicately picked guitar precision with deft crashes of fuzz and feedback. There’s the odd psychedelic tinged moment and occasional Smiths-esque chorus pedal stomps too. It’s a sound that touches on the best parts of indie music today, delivered with an endearing dry wit – I mean, just look at their name.

Stream ‘You And Me’:

You and Me by Teen Mom