Berlin-based band teenweek captivate on their debut single “The Kids Are Cruel,” seamlessly infusing melodic guitars and lush synths into a harmonious title-touting hookiness. The act — consisting of Phil, Rod, Djamila, and Akio — show a clear knack for both dreamy atmospheric allure and punchy infectiousness here. A strong thematic introspection, regarding dueling generations’ values, also takes hold.
Bouncy bass and shimmering synths prove inviting as the vocals emerge, declaring “government’s got a new plan, to fight for democracy while they can.” Beautiful vocal layers move in thereafter into more relatable contexts of generational divide — “the kids say they′ve had enough now” — and artful depictions of youthful disenchantment with the powers that be. “But the kids are cruel, they don’t wanna fight,” the vocals radiate during this memorable hook, driving into the “the kids say they’ll vote them out now” verses — and continuing to convey a notable divide, and also the irony of how pacifism is considered “cruel” by overarching powers.
The track consumes in its synth/guitar interplay and evergreen thematic pursuits, a seeming critique of how governments and older generations rationalize war and uphold a broken system — while the youth remains and fights, even under labels like “cruel” and lazy. Impressing with both pop-savvy hooks and enjoyable lyrical contemplations, “The Kids Are Cruel” is a standout of a debut from teenweek.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
