Junior Varsity Pull No Punches in 'SIDE B'
Photo: Adam Kargenian
LA band Junior Varsity, composed of Greg Varteresian and Zach Michel, pull no punches on their dynamic new EP SIDE B. The duo follows up last year's bristling, beautiful self-titled EP with a second set of frenetic, genre-blurring tracks that echo the agitation of the world around them. Powered by adrenaline and distortion, Junior Varsity seamlessly blends anthemic alt-rock, nostalgic pop-punk, and pure electronic noise into a cathartic six-track collection that never lets up.
Opener "Tamarin" sinks its teeth into listeners with its world-weary intensity fueled by humming production and nostalgic guitar riffs. As plucked guitar strings and the pixilated synths establish the sonic scene, "I wrote a song today / It doesn't end," sings Varteresian with exhausted anguish as the song builds amongst a quietly growing chaos. The record then transitions into the disorienting "Singapore." The high-tempo track details a story of betrayal and success backed by retro synths, driving guitar lines, and unrelenting percussion
"Rushh" is a brooding rock anthem that channels 21st-century alternative and '90s pop-punk in equal measure with its genre-bending beat, earworm hook, and acoustic guitar woven into the production, perfectly capturing the spirit of an endless summer. In the gorgeous music video, viewers see Varteresian sitting in the back of a truck among a collection of trophies, traveling through the mountains. The video intercuts his trip with road trip footage, including clips of passengers watching YouTube videos, arguing with each other, and eventually ending up in a car crash. The duo then switch gears and tell the tale of "Cody Prince." The track opens with Michel jogging his memory as to who the mysterious protagonist is before launching into the warm production of the chorus. He sings, "God knows forty-five / He knows I'd kill to see him home safe / He knows I'd kill to see him anyway / I want what Cody wants."
The previously released "Share Ur Feelings" adventures into sounds that feel comforting yet fresh. It begins with a soft, heartfelt intro with the band singing, "Call me over / Sharpie your name on my shoulder / Share your feeling." Next, the track takes a nostalgic turn, thinking back on moments shared within a relationship as they express their never-ending love for this person. In the thought-provoking music video, each person either has a red or a green line through them while interacting with another person. The red line represents a person who is unwanted in the situation by the person who has a green line. The protagonist eventually finds himself running in the woods as the urgency in the track increases, stumbling upon a group of green line people, and their line changing from red to yellow, then to green, signifying that he's found his people. This urgency carries into SIDE B's closer "I'm Not a Boy." The scrappy finale is full of raging punk energy mixed with summery, sun-soaked instrumentation, with the duo declaring that they aren't a boy and that they "get angry when their feelings get ignored."
Overall, SIDE B is rife with dynamic production, laced with hyperpop-evoking elements, and packed with standout moments that compliment Junior Varsity's vocal performance and thought-provoking lyrics. In addition, the band's penchant for experimentation shines through, even in their accompanying, captivating, self-directed music videos.
Listen to SIDE B below:
