rewind: Hyper Trophy - Teen Girl Scientist Monthly
rewind takes you back to a previously released album that we don't want you to miss.
words: Matt Latham
You must have that list nestled away in your brain that has checkboxes next to each item. You know that list. That list of elements that means once something’s been ticked, you're one step closer to you loving it. Specifically the list that means you’re more than likely to like a band. The more elements that they tick the more enthused you become. It’s rare that a band seemingly comes along and completely obliterates the list; ripping up the paper into shreds and spelling out the following sentence with the shards that are left:
“This is what you imagined you would sound like if you had a band.”
Teen Girl Scientist Monthly ticks all of my boxes for anything that would make me listen to a band and go “hmmm, I like.” Tag team vocals. Check. Loud shouty punchy choruses? Check. Loud distorted guitar bits? Check. A generally upbeat fun sound? Check. Subject matter that goes a little deep and dark yet still maintain that tonally contrasting upbeat sound? Check. Occasional gang vocals? Check. Not afraid to mix in a bit of synth and electronica? Check. Lyrics that allow you to interpret your own meanings to them? Check. Not afraid to manipulate other genres into the indie-punk sound? Check. Early albums also throw in the odd quirky instrument I love (glockenspiels and violins) so that’s another one.
Hyper Trophy is currently the latest album I’d class as a favourite. It’s dead set on threatening some albums in my top ten of all time (if I was Briskeby’s Jumping on Cars, I’d be scared). It’s got all the aforementioned elements working together so immensely. There’s not one bad song on this album, and the track listing is perfectly placed to dip and increase the pace when it needs to. It knows when to get introspective and when to unleash its energy.
Albums are fully capable of having their own set-pieces and memorable moments. This album is full of them. "Dark Rip" opens up with its catchy choruses and lyrics that take a few listens to delve into. "Lions" has the screechy gang vocals after the breakdown. Singer Morgan Lynch’s passionate “you better burn yourself before your suffocated” from "Blood on Yr Sundress"...scratch that. That whole track is a massive set-piece of excellence. Away invokes the spirit of Be Your Own Pet’s Adventure with its nostalgic nod towards its “we are adventuring - we are adventurers” refrain, making sure its legacy is still being felt a decade on. Melissa Lusk taking lead vocals on "Aurelie" and the rousing finale refrain of "Hours" echoing into the end. It leaves you with a great sadness that the album you’ve just loved for the last 40 minutes has ended.
Packing relentless energy, Hyper Trophy is fully able to get you moving, brighten your day and give you something to think about. It’s well worth your time.