I’d be pretty content to live in a world where PRO TEENS put out an album every year, and for the third year running, they’ve done it with Philistines. After the sudden release of Accidentally, their second album, Philistines has dropped just as suddenly. Thirty seconds into it, all of your worries are washed away with its soothing arrangements. PRO TEENS are an indie pop outfit unlike any other in this town. They’re the only ones dealing this drug, and this release will make you want to go through their back catalog.
There are bits of soul, surf and R&B all over, without a lot of verse/chorus/verse happening. It’s more like beautiful soundscapes for Andrew Phipps’ intensely rich poetry. Philistines is sort of a mini-album compared to the previous two, but I’ll take anything I can get to add to their list of songs I play on repeat on any given Saturday.
Ivory Monet
Right from the start, “Tulsa” is sleek elegance, exploring the smoother side of life, while “Bloomin’” seems to be a bit more of a wry personal commentary. “She’s Gonna Be So Great” is literally screaming for a video and “Signals Crossed” has an arrangement that makes my mind stutter. PRO TEENS get a little trippy on “A Companion” – it’s still an ultra-lounge exploration that’s quite literally dizzying. “Crocs” comes across as a bit of a confessional, with a linear story of loss, and the swingingest groove to be found here. The record finishes with an array of catchy hooks in the single-worthy “You Won’t.” Once again, PRO TEENS’ fully evolved sound is uniquely their own in this brilliant package.