Teenagers in the Village is the debut EP from Glitter Shop, a trio who’ve written about the pros and cons of growing up in rural England. The EP focuses on themes of isolation and the overwhelming allure of moving to bigger cities where dreams are more achievable. It’s like a musical, more concise version of This Country. There’s no hint of Kerry and Kurtan here.
Combining their indie-pop sound with elements of shoegaze to produce some “Cowboy Shoegaze”, Glitter Shop treat you to a range of emotions on Teenagers in the Village. ‘Slowdown Cowboy’ opens the record with a real sense of gloom. Filling the room with thick layers of hazy noise that are pierced by lyrics such as “When your skull is broken / You feel as though you’re choking”. It’s like repeated shots to the gut but sets you up for the more upbeat sound of ‘Port 80’. The guitars remain lethargic with noise but are boosted by thunderous bass and driving drums to really pick up the tempo. This paired with the harmonies throughout really creates a dreamy sound that I could honestly get lost in forever.
‘Around House’ brings another cheerful instrumental to the mix. Pulsing with guitar strings and a melody that sounds quite comforting. The near-spoken word vocals add another spin to the EP, and really help the song stand out from the rest, even when it sees the return of the walls of noise. ‘The Book Club’ closes proceedings with a spiralling set of strings and riffs that ebb and flow through the speakers. With the inclusion of male and female vocals it feels like a series of parts initially, before they collide into one another to create a final flurry that sounds absolutely massive.
It’s a superb way to bring an end to an equally great EP. Teenagers in the Village seems to disappear as quick as it begins, but not without leaving a lasting impression. It really brings you into its world and treats you to songs that sound so cohesive while also sounding so individual too. It’s always a great thing discovering a new favourite artist so early into the new year.
Photo credit: Georgia Mills