Review Summary: There's a star on my chest where my heart should be…
Teenage Wrist shed their grungy shoegaze roots for something leaner, brighter, and undeniably more anthemic.
Released in 2021, the album marks a turning point for the band—now a duo after the departure of founding member Kamtin Mohager—embracing a punchier, alt-rock sound that channels the raw energy of 2000s radio rock while still maintaining their signature dreamy, reverb-soaked edge. Produced by Colin Brittain (Basement, A Day to Remember), the record trades in melancholic introspection for cathartic release, proving that reinvention doesn’t have to mean losing identity.
From the soaring, fuzzed-out chords of opener ‘Squeeze’ to the shimmering, synth-tinged urgency of ‘New Emotion’, Earth Is a Black Hole is packed with massive, radio-ready hooks. ‘Wear U Down’ rides on a wall-of-sound guitar riff and a relentless drum groove, while ‘High Again’ blends washed-out vocals with a stadium-sized chorus that could have easily dominated alt-rock airwaves in the early 2000s. But it’s the title track that truly encapsulates the album’s central theme—an existential reckoning set to a relentless, propulsive rhythm, questioning whether redemption is possible in an era defined by digital burnout and societal collapse.
Earth is a Black Hole grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. The album is a masterclass in dynamic shifts, moving seamlessly from delicate, almost whispered vocals to explosive, wall-of-sound guitars. ‘Silverspoon’ is a standout, its catchy melodies and driving rhythm section creating a head-nodding, almost hypnotic effect, while the lyrics explore the disillusionment of broken promises and faded dreams.
The emotionally raw ‘Wear U Down’ is about the push and pull of relationships and the struggle to maintain individuality.
The album's sonic landscape owes a clear debt to 90s alt-rock heroes like Nirvana, Radiohead and deftones (particularly noticeable during their heavier moments) to name but a few, but Teenage Wrist isn't simply aping their influences; they've crafted a sound that is distinctly their own. This is music born from the gut, reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of modern life. The band's willingness to confront their own vulnerabilities resonates deeply, offering solace to anyone who has wrestled with similar demons.
Where Teenage Wrist’s debut album, Chrome Neon Jesus, was steeped in nostalgia and youthful disillusionment, Earth Is a Black Hole feels like a battle cry for moving forward. There’s a sense of urgency in these songs, a defiant optimism buried beneath the distortion. In a world that often feels like it’s spiraling into darkness, Teenage Wrist chooses to find the light—no matter how fleeting it may be.
On a personal level - This album holds a special place in my heart; every song is tied to cherished memories of listening to it with my daughter. These moments, getting lost in the music together, deepened our bond in a way that words alone never could. Earth Is a Black Hole isn’t just an album—it’s a soundtrack to some of our most meaningful times, a reminder of the connection we share and the emotions we’ve experienced side by side.
