The Linda Lindas - Growing Up

The Linda Lindas were forging a path through the LA punk scene long before their furious live performance of ‘Racist Sexist Boy’ for AAPI Heritage Month went viral. Now, their accolades can also include opening for riot grrrl figureheads Bikini Kill, two appearances on Netflix, and a forthcoming appearance at emo and punk mega-festival When We Were Young. With debut full-length ‘Growing Up’ they easily cement themselves as far more than a viral moment, pairing political and social charge with a suitably playful charm. Opener ‘Oh!’ delivers a powerhouse homage to the band’s foremothers, highlighting ‘Growing Up’’s clever balance between frivolity, passion and skill. ‘Cuantas Veces’ pairs cultural tradition with the alternative. The title-track delves into insecurities that reach beyond teenage years, while the studio recording of breakthrough ‘Racist Sexist Boy’ delivers a powerful burst of poignant anger. Yet The Linda Lindas are keen not to gloss over their youth; the youngest member is 11 years old at the time of writing. Musings on identity and purpose sit against an ode to cat Nino, proving there’s always time for fun. It’s a lesson for all ages on a record that reaches across the generational divide through both its mastery of sound and the universality of its stories. It nods to shared experience and highlights indifference, marking the reality of being both young and purposeful.