Diving into Nonfiction, the debut record from multi-instrumentalist Sara Abdelbarry under the nom de plume Teen Idle, and fans of those charming Indie Pop singles that preceded the album immediately get a treat in the form of the 1-2-3 punch of “Saccharine”, Birthday Cake”, and “Norway” all in a row to start as a refreshing reminder of why they’re here in the first place. And for new fans, this trio of tracks is just the prologue to an earnest aural novel that’s perfect for the current changing of the seasons.
You know in TV Land how you can usually tell there’s been a time jump in production between when a pilot was filmed and aired versus the rest of the series following a season pick-up? Well, consider those “summer tracks” from Teen Idle the “Pilot” if you will and what follows as one of your most favorite 1st seasons of television ever. “Things You Say” is akin to “Episode 2” and is like a big exhale when you realize that yeah, this record’s gonna rule beyond the singles. It’s an Alt classic from the get-go with Abdelbarry’s solid strumming perfectly paired with Danny Murray’s constant thumping (Samir Tawalare also drums on various tracks) to mark a tipping point in the sonic landscape already.
“Epigrah” is a meandering instrumental interlude that brings to mind the Kids soundtrack and Folk Implosion’s work weaving their way through the cracks on that album which drifts into “Spiderwebs” and holds onto that feel evoking a “college album” sort of sound in this slow burn mostly acoustic number that swells nicely before fading off into the ether. Coming out of that is “Dance Inc” with its’ shimmering glow and all around BIG sound that’s a formidable album tentpole reminiscent of recent works by Linnea’s Garden or even NYC’s own Black Taxi.
“Every Night” brings back the acoustic guitar before a full “band” (Read: Abdelbarry’s multi-instrumentalist prowess in full bloom) emerges to turn the tune from downtrodden to delightful with penultimate song “Stranger” just being full on gorgeous with the atmosphere it creates enveloping Abdelbarry’s broad vocal strokes so warmly. Nonfiction closes with the tenderly plucked hypnotic isolation of “Winter” and a vibrant chorus that ever so slightly thaws the cold leading into a powerful finale… that is, except for the bonus track of “On Fire” offering a little more texture to the Teen Idle sound with Abdelbarry’s slide guitar adding some twang to the Shoegaze-like ditty.
Nonfiction arrives through H1 MASSIVE on September 29th and your one-stop shop for ALL the Teen Idle going’s on’s and whatnot, including pre-order and pre-save links to the new album as well as where you can stay up-to-date via socials can be found right here.