Teens of Style
Car Seat Headrest · 2015
46 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A raw, introspective collection of lo-fi anthems that captures the complexities of adolescence with a sharp lyrical edge.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sunburned Shirts Start here — The opening track sets the tone with its jangly guitars and vivid imagery, encapsulating the themes of nostalgia and confusion that permeate the album.
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Something Soon — This song highlights Toledo's lyrical prowess as he navigates the anxieties of growing up, blending catchy melodies with introspective verses.
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Times to Die — With its haunting instrumentation and reflective lyrics, this track serves as a powerful meditation on mortality and the pressures faced by youth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's raw sound and relatable lyrics resonate well with listeners, capturing the essence of youth.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lo-fi production style, featuring raw guitar riffs and minimalistic drumming that set a youthful, introspective tone.
- Several tracks feature abrupt transitions between sections, creating a sense of spontaneity and reflecting the chaotic nature of adolescence.
- Lyrically, the album frequently employs conversational language and personal anecdotes, enhancing its relatability to the teenage experience.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like dynamics with peaks
- raw melodies for teenage angst
- reflective moments of solitude
- engaging sing-alongs with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek polished mainstream production
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — First release under Matador, solidifying their place in the indie rock scene.
- Career context
- Teens of Style is Car Seat Headrest's first release under Matador Records, following a series of self-released albums. At this point in their career, frontman Will Toledo had developed a dedicated online following through Bandcamp and had begun to gain recognition for his unique sound and relatable lyrics.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pavement· Built to Spill· The War on Drugs
Tracklist
- 1 Sunburned Shirts Start here 4:05
- 2 The Drum 3:57
- 3 Something Soon 4:20
- 4 No Passion 2:50
- 5 Times to Die 6:50
- 6 Psst, Teenagers, Take Off Your Clo 1:00
- 7 Strangers 5:39
- 8 Maud Gone 5:58
- 9 Los Borrachos (I Don't Have Any Hope Left, but the Weather Is Nice) 6:23
- 10 Bad Role Models, Old Idols Exhumed (Psst, Teenagers, Put Your Clothes Back O) 1:54
- 11 Oh! Starving 3:51
What to play next
Teens of Denial
2016
Continues the introspective themes with a more polished sound and broader exploration.
How to Leave Town
2014
Sets the stage with similar raw emotion and lo-fi aesthetics, leading into Teens of Style.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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