Babyteeth: Debut EP 'Poser'

MusicReviews

6 Apr

KATIE BROWN - 6 APR 2021

“A thousand kisses, a dozen roses / I bet that heaven is filled with posers”

Newly released via Sunreturn label on the 2nd of April is the brand-spanking-new debut EP Poser from Tāmaki Makaurau-based act Babyteeth. Short and sweet at just three tracks long, it’s “the perfect soundtrack to the gay 90s b-movie playing in your head”. Made up of members Amelia Berry (also of Amamelia, Fimo) on vocals and guitar, Madison van Staden (also of Moody.V and the Menstrual Cycle) on bass and Sam Denne (also of Skody Banks) on drums, the EP is a lighthearted, jangly pop-punk ode to the angst and discombobulation of youth.

Anthemic title track “Poser” saw the band spring into life with its release earlier this year, gaining ongoing student radio airplay nationwide. The brisk follow-up with the Poser EP serves us with a veritable treat for the ears (best chased with popcorn and your favourite 90s / early noughties rom-com). With a refreshing nod to the pop-punk of the 00s, Poser sees Babyteeth grounding themselves in their own unique sound that is still very much of-the-day: the catchy, melodic guitar riffs and driving drums accompanied by the playful and charmingly off-kilter, tongue-in-cheek vocals create a listening experience that is relatable, inviting and just straight-up (lovelorn) fun.

Discussing the band and the EP, Sam says “This band is not just a musical lock-pick cracking open the cage door of arrested development; it is a band comprised of three friends who care deeply for each other, writing songs that help process both past and ongoing emotional turbulence. A therapy band if you like. I feel like Poser captures this perfectly. It was created with love, introspection and over the span of one of the most important development arcs of my life. I love my bandmates. Hope you enjoy it! If you don’t you’re probably a poser.”

Amen.

Stream the EP below.