Teen Idle - "Saccharine"

Photo by Samantha Abdelbarry

Teen Idle, the musical project of New Jersey multi-instrumentalist Sara Abdelbarry, has a new single out that's perfect for squeezing out the last bits of summer this weekend. "Saccharine" doesn't quite fit its sugary title, despite being a fairly sugary sounding song. It fits into the bedroom/alt-pop sound that's all the rage, but it's too complex of a song for that. It's filled with odd instrumentation that almost doesn't completely fit, and Abdelbarry's vocals have a unique, soulful quality. Eventually the song seems to destruct into a jazz jam, and I mean that in the best possible way.

Sara Abdelbarry says of her new song:

“‘Saccharine’ is a song with a title that’s both sincere and sarcastic at the same time. Call it a breakup song if you will – every album needs one – but the song reflects on a romance and the realization that things can start off pretty sweet but quickly turn sour if both people don’t put in the work to make a relationship last. The song chronicles the end of a relationship and the feelings of hurt, disrespect, and anger you can experience while still remembering the joyful moments.”

You can listen to "Saccharine" below. Nonfiction is due out September 29 on H1 Massive. For more on Teen Idle, check out the artist's website.

Teen Idle - "Birthday Cake"

Photo by Samantha Abdelbarry

I have a bizarre and intense fondness for New Jersey, particularly the Asbury Park area. That is in part due to the amazing music coming out of Asbury Park, and the latest artist we've discovered is Teen Idle. The musical project of multi-instrumentalist Sara Abdelbarry has just released a new single, "Birthday Cake." It's one of those songs that sounds completely unique, even if it's made up of parts you're intimately familiar with. The song has a great 90's slacker and bedroom indie feel mixed with the modern indie rock/folk/alt-pop sound of artists like Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers. Plus, "Birthday Cake" sounds wonderfully DIY the way Colleen Green and Little Hag do. I also have a very personal love of artists with unique and non-traditional voices that are still compelling, like J Mascis and Stephin Merritt, and Abdelbarry has that vocal quality.

Sara Abdelbarry says of her new single:

“‘Birthday Cake’ isn’t specifically about anyone, but rather a caricature of a person. In some ways the song is autobiographical because the character it deals with is a hyperbolic version of people I’ve known. The song reflects on having a friend who is acting in immature ways you’ve outgrown, but knowing they still need your support and friendship. The character in the song is a reckless young adult who makes a series of bad, impulsive decisions and constantly worries all their friends and family. The type of self-destructive person who gets into legal and drug troubles and doesn’t take advice. Someone who has moved thousands of miles away with no clear plan for their life. And once they come back home, this person has burnt basically all their bridges.”

You can listen to "Birthday Cake" below. Nonfiction is due out later this year on H1 Massive. For more on Teen Idle, check out the artist's website.