LA alt-rockers Teenage Wrist released their brilliant third full-length Still Love today via Epitaph Records.
Having spent the last eight years continually evolving and refining their sound, Still Love represents a fully realized version of Teenage Wrist. The '90s post-grunge and emo of their 2018 debut Chrome Neon Jesus remains, as does the '90s shoe-gaze and alt-rock elements that elevated its follow-up, 2021's Earth Is A Black Hole, but they now sit within a more mature, broader, and impactful soundscape. Reaching new heights in both scope and execution, their third record is a demonstration of the band maturing as songwriters and musicians. Deftly tackling much more introspective subject matter than their high-energy, nihilistic Earth Is A Black Hole, Still Love chronicles the process and emotional catharsis of learning to love oneself through pensive lyricism.
The writing process started in early 2022 with a retreat in Joshua Tree that inspired the band to push the limits of experimentation, allowing a sense of liberation to flow throughout the record and even into the artwork and visuals. Instead of relying on nostalgia, the dynamic between these two musicians drives them to push the limits not only of Teenage Wrist’s sound but their own personal forms of creative expression. “We didn’t have a preconception about how we were going to be received for this record, so we decided we should just create something organic that we feel completely present making,” Salazar explains. “There was no other intent than for us to express ourselves.”
The powerful bond between lead guitarist and vocalist Marshall Gallagher and drummer Anthony Salazar lies at the core of Teenage Wrist’s music, and that’s evident in every moment of Still Love. “There was a certain feeling that music gave me as a kid, and this is honestly the first time - on any record - I feel like we kind of came close to achieving that,” Gallagher says, “We just shot from the gut on this record and tried not to overanalyze things… and I think the record speaks for itself.”
To commemorate the release of Still Love, Gallagher was kind enough to put together a list of his top 10 '90s tracks. It's a well-thought-out collection of songs that serves as a good indicator of the influences that have seen Gallagher and Salazer arrive at their unique alt-rock blend. The likes of The Verve, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Smashing Pumpkins would be intuitive inclusions for anyone who has heard Teenage Wrist, but the presence of Ace Of Base, Wu-Tang Clan and No Doubt, point to a pair of songwriters who take influence from the totality of the decade, not just the touchpoints you might expect. It is also a fantastic overview of the wild nature of popular and alternative sounds in the '90s, the last decade in which Gallagher states "It seemed like there were no fucking rules".
Top 10 '90s Tracks with Marshall Gallagher of Teenage Wrist
"I could have gone really obscure here in a feeble attempt to seem cool… but instead, I followed my gut and thought about songs that define the era in the context of my own life. My own '90s experience, the last decade where it seemed like there were no fucking rules."
The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony
"I dunno, this song has just always been the quintessential 90s jam to me. It’s a flawless rock song, but it’s sample-based and every time I think about the '90s aesthetic I just hear breakbeats and strings. Iconic music video, saw it about a billion times on MTV."
The Prodigy - Breathe
"The Prodigy was the first group to release my inner freak. Everything about them felt weird and underground, like if the dark web were a physical place, they’d be playing at the gate."
Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
"A testament to how completely ridiculous the whole decade was. Several anarchist punks write a drinking song with the verse repeating “pissing the night away” and it somehow becomes the biggest song in the world. The irony is delightful, and the album cover is terrifying."
Sunny Day Real Estate - In Circles
"If we’re talking emo, this is the only song that matters. The mystery behind the band, their short on-and-off stint, their lo fi records… the absolute coolest and most influential. Everything else that came out afterwards in emo world can be traced back here, IMO. "
Ace Of Base - The Sign
"Perfect pop song. The Swedes just do it better, also it’s got reggae bones which I’m always a sucker for. Name a more appropriate song to roller-skate to."
Smashing Pumpkins - 1979
"Riff of the century, most recognizable voice in rock music. Every single post-grunge band (us included) wants to write this song."
Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.
"Ok, I didn’t discover Wu-Tang until college, but there’s no greater 90s hip hop song/record. The realest, the most raw. Hardest shit ever."
blink 182 - Dammit
"The pinnacle of pop punk, no further questions. This song completely encapsulates my childhood, it’s all that plays in my head when I think about middle school summers. Tom DeLonge is the most underrated guitar player of our time, BTW."
No Doubt - Don’t Speak
"Timeless song, just happens to be from the first CD I ever owned. Gwen Stefani is my undisputed top 90s heartthrob. And the changes are insane."
Third Eye Blind - Semi-Charmed Life
"Even though Stephan Jenkins is a legendary prick, I will always give this song (and this record front to back) the top slot for best alt-rock song ever. Every single part is a memorable hook, down to the intro drum fill. Plus, anyone who can slide as many lyrics about sex and drugs as he does into a radio smash is damn impressive. Paving the way for all of us to say whatever we want, however we want to say it."
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Teenage Wrist - Still Love is out today on Epitaph Records.
Still Love Tracklist
Dark Sky (feat. SA Martinez)
Still Love (feat. Softcult)
Digital Self
Something Good
Wax Poetic (feat. Sister Void)
Cold Case
Cigarette Two-Step (feat. David Marion)
Humbug (feat. Heavenward)
Sprawled
Paloma a.k.a. Ketamine
Listen to Teenage Wrist
