Concentrate on Chillwave Duo Teenage Sweater: New Album Review

Teenage Sweater is one of the Bay Area’s newest buzz bands: an electronic duo from Santa Rosa. Their sound is crisp and precise, suiting the title, Concentration. It certainly makes you want to dance. Reviews so far have raved over the similarities to New Order and Joy Division. As someone who has (embarrassingly) dove very little into New Wave bands, I find this is a welcome introduction to the sound for a younger generation. The lyrics, voices of Mario Ruiz and Connor Alfaro, and constant buzz and snap of the ambient, bouncy tunes are rightly categorized as chillwave. The voices strike a perfect balance between audible, and blending in with the dance wave of each infectious tune. 

Let “Fangs” slowly seep into your ears as you picture all the glorious cliches of vampire culture– thick fog rolling in as a beautiful maiden runs, lost, through the forest. “You’re scared to be alone, but that’s alright”, Ruiz sings over brooding synths and drums. “Cold Spots” rushes into your ears with a speed and tempo that may make you suddenly want to take up jogging, the sound is so catchy; the voice and pop sound of this song in particular is reminiscent of the Shins. 

The sound is both fun and refined– each song stands out, yet it never takes itself too seriously to where it loses it’s quality. Each song is fully formed and enticing– even three musical interludes.  

Be sure to check out their show at the New Parish Oakland, if you in the Bay Area next Wednesday March 27th.