Pretty Good for a Girl Band is the debut extended play (EP)[a] by Australian rock band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, released on 13 May 2022 via Domestic La La. Produced by James Tidswell and Alex Lahey, the record won Best Independent Punk Album or EP at the 2023 AIR Awards and received three other nominations for the band.[6]
| Pretty Good for a Girl Band | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 13 May 2022 | |||
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| Length | 15:01 | |||
| Label | Domestic La La | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Pretty Good for a Girl Band | ||||
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Composition edit
Lyrical themes on Pretty Good for a Girl Band include facing the misogyny that the female band members face, with lead singer Anna Ryan describing "Girl Sports" as: "a big middle finger to all the men that have treated us like we’re less than in the music industry". The track was inspired by bass guitarist Jaida Stephenson's male dentist who told her she should "stick to girl sports".[7]
Sonically, the bassline in "Girl Sports" was inspired by the song "War" by English rock band Idles. Further, the slow burning closing track "Bull Dragon" was musically inspired by "505" by Arctic Monkeys. Lyrically, Stephenson said the band wanted to channel the same emotional energy as the work of Waax.[2]
In terms of recording, Stephenson said that one of the tracks was recorded two and a half years prior to the EP's release.[5] "Girl Sports" was massively altered in the studio, with the band saying they cut out half a verse, re-wrote the chorus and completely changed the arrangements and instrumentation.[8]
Release edit
The lead single, and the band's first after signing to Domestic La La, "Ahhhh!" was released on 23 July 2021.[9] It later polled at number 117 in the Triple J Hottest 200 of 2021.[10] On 16 November, the second single "Miss Your Birthday" was released, which was co-written by Alex Lahey.[11]
On 29 March 2022, the band announced the title, cover art and release date of their debut EP.[12] The news was accompanied by its third and final single, "Girl Sports", which was described by Ellie Robinson from NME as a "notedly darker cut for the Canberra-native quartet" featuring "more grisly guitar runs, snappy, cymbal-heavy drums and cutthroat lead vocals".[7] The track later polled at number 55 in the Hottest 100 of 2022.[13] The band embarked on a nationwide tour supporting the EP in August 2022.[7]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Under the Radar | 8/10[4] |
| Wall of Sound | 8/10[3] |
Writing for Under the Radar, Andy Von Pip concluded that the record is a "spiky and impressive debut EP that fizzes with modern riot grrrl energy and swaggering melodies and encourages you to push back against reductive societal expectations and follow your own path".[4]
Reviewing for The AU Review, Dylan Oxley said Pretty Good for a Girl Band is "bursting with energy and irony". He praised Ryan's songwriting, writing their "candid lyrics are more reflective than angsty and the whole group channels their inner punks with an assertive eloquence".[5]
Ebony Story of Wall of Sound said "every song is basically a singalong" and praised the EP's catchy choruses and lyrics, making for a satisfying debut. She concluded that "it hits all the spots you've been waiting to itch since [the band] first hit the scene".[3]
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Anna Ryan, Jaida Stephenson, Neve van Boxsel and Scarlett McKahey, unless otherwise noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ahhhh!" | James Tidswell | 2:24 | |
| 2. | "Up to Summit" |
| Tidswell | 3:32 |
| 3. | "Miss Your Birthday" |
| Tidswell | 2:48 |
| 4. | "Girl Sports" | Lahey | 3:14 | |
| 5. | "Bull Dragon" | Lahey | 3:01 | |
| Total length: | 15:01 | |||
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ Robinson, Ellie. "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers: "Now that we've got this platform, we're really going to tell people what we think"". Guitar World. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b Stephenson, Jaida (16 May 2022). "Five Tracks That Inspired Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers' Debut EP". The Music. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Story, Ebony (10 May 2022). "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – Pretty Good For A Girl Band (EP Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Pip, Andy Von (10 May 2022). "Pretty Good For a Girl Band". Under the Radar. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Oxley, Dylan (7 May 2022). "Interview: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers talk Pretty Good For A Girl Band, national tour and sexist dentists". The AU Review. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Ellie (3 August 2023). "King Stingray, Confidence Man And Teen Jesus Top 2023 AIR Award Winners". The Music. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Robinson, Ellie (29 March 2022). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers share biting new single 'Girl Sports'". NME. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ "Celebrating 75 Years With Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers". Wrangler. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Ellie (23 July 2021). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers yell their hearts out on fiery new single 'AHHHH!'". NME. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ Billy, August (20 January 2022). "Triple J's Hottest 200 Of 2021: Live Updates". Music Feeds. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Ellie (16 November 2021). "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers yearn for home on energised new single 'Miss Your Birthday'". NME. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ "Rising Australian Punk Rock Stars Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Announce New EP – Pretty Good For A Girl Band". Mundane. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ "triple j Hottest 100 of 2022: here are all the songs in the countdown". NME. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.