I Love You is the debut studio album by Australian rock band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, released on 6 October 2023 through Domestic La La.[1] Produced by Oscar Dawson, the record marks a sonic departure from their previous work, "balancing bubblegum pop, ear-bashing rock and thunderous punk".[2] Upon release, I Love You peaked at number 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
| I Love You | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 6 October 2023 | |||
| Studio | Eddie's, Rye, Victoria | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 37:06 | |||
| Label | Domestic La La | |||
| Producer | Oscar Dawson | |||
| Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from I Love You | ||||
| ||||
At the 2023 J Awards, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.[3]
At the AIR Awards of 2024, the album was nominated for Best Independent Rock Album or EP, while "I Used to Be Fun" was nominated for Best Independent song. Oscar Dawson was nominated for Independent Producer of the Year for his work on this album and Domestic La La were nominated for Independent Marketing Team of the Year.[4]
At the 2024 ARIA Music Awards, the album won Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist.[5]
Background and composition
editIn May 2022, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers released their debut extended play (EP), Pretty Good for a Girl Band.[6] The lyrical matters of I Love You are mostly based on events from the band members' personal lives since then– from enduring relationship breakdowns, to moving states and changing jobs.[7] According to the band, the songwriting is much more personal than their debut.[8] For example, in "Never Saw It Coming", drummer Neve van Boxsel opens up about her experiences with sexual assault.[7]
Produced by Oscar Dawson of Holy Holy, I Love You was in production for over a year.[8] It is their most diverse work, and according to The Canberra Times, a "far cry from the punk-driven sounds of the band's [debut] EP".[9] This sonic evolution was made possible due to collaborating with other artists, and working closer together in the studio.[7]
This feels so much more of a representation of all of us and all of our music tastes because this is the first body of work, we've all collaborated on it.[9]
— Neve van Boxsel
"Never Saw it Coming" is the band's first acoustic song, and the first to be written and sung by van Boxsel. It was released as the second single to introduce listeners to a new sound from the band.[9] "Salt" is the band's first collaboration, performed with Melbourne band the Grogans. The two bands decided to work on it together when they met on tour in 2022.[10]
Release and promotion
editOn 30 March 2023, the band released the lead single "Lights Out",[11] their first new song since their 2022 EP. According to the band, the song was written about "claiming your sexuality, confidence and not caring about what the drunk strangers in a Canberra nightclub will think of you".[11] "Lights Out" was supported by a music video directed by band drummer Neve van Boxsel.
The second single "Never Saw It Coming" followed on 7 June.[12] The album title, cover artwork and track listing was announced the next day, as well as the release date of 8 September 2023,[1][13] although this was later changed to 6 October 2023.[14] "I Used to Be Fun" was issued on 27 July as the third single, when the band also announced a nationwide album tour.[15] On 6 September, a fourth single, "Salt", was released.[10]
A deluxe edition, titled I Love You Too, features three additional tracks and is scheduled for release on 20 September 2024.[16]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The Arts Desk |   [17] |
| The AU Review | [18] |
| Clash | 7/10[19] |
| Rolling Stone | [20] |
The album was met with positive reviews. Writing for The AU Review, Dylan Marshall said I Love You featured a "mix of full-blown punk moments, mixed in with earnest love songs and a genuinely lovely smattering of indie rock", calling the album a "belter from start to finish."[18] Thomas Green of The Arts Desk said its tracks tend towards "catchy new wavey power pop or snarling numbers raging at mistreatment in love/sex", concluding the band had found a unique space in the music scene.[17]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Anna Ryan, Jaida Stephenson, Neve van Boxsel and Scarlett McKahey, unless otherwise noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Used to Be Fun" |
| 2:41 |
| 2. | "Treat Me Better" |
| 3:36 |
| 3. | "Backseat Driver" | 3:33 | |
| 4. | "I Love You" | 3:06 | |
| 5. | "Your House My House" | 2:17 | |
| 6. | "Salt" (featuring the Grogans) |
| 3:07 |
| 7. | "I Don't Want It" | 2:49 | |
| 8. | "Cayenne Pepper" | 0:40 | |
| 9. | "Ahhhh!" | 2:28 | |
| 10. | "Lights Out" |
| 2:54 |
| 11. | "Toe Bone" |
| 3:35 |
| 12. | "Never Saw It Coming" | 3:07 | |
| 13. | "Kissy Kissy" | 3:07 | |
| Total length: | 37:00 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 14. | "Dull" (featuring Softcult) | 3:15 |
| 15. | "Please Me" | |
| 16. | "We Thought It Would Be a Good Time But It Was a Bad Time" |
Notes
- "Ahhhh!" previously appeared on the band's 2022 EP, Pretty Good for a Girl Band.[1]
Personnel
editCredits reflective of liner notes.
Musicians
- Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – writing, performing
- Oscar Dawson – writing (tracks 2, 10)
- Alex Markwell – writing (track 1)
- Adam Newling – writing (track 11), additional guitars (tracks 2, 13)
Technical
- Oscar Dawson – producer, mixing
- Leon Zervos – mastering
- James Tidswell – producer (track 9)
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[21] | 6 |
References
edit- ^ a b c Varvaris, Mary (8 June 2023). "Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers Announce Debut Album 'I Love You', Share New Single". Kill Your Stereo. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Lochrie, Conor (8 June 2023). "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Announce Debut Album". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Check out all the nominees for the 2023 J Awards". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More". The Music. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Oxley, Dylan (7 May 2022). "Interview: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers talk Pretty Good For A Girl Band, national tour and sexist dentists". The AU Review. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Varvaris, Mary (9 June 2023). "Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers On Their Essential New Single: 'It Gave Back Control I Had Originally Lost'". The Music. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ a b Burke, Cassidy (7 October 2023). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers' Jaida Stephenson: 'Since When Is 'Girl Bands' A Genre?'". Junkee. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Martin, Amy (8 June 2023). "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers on 'empowering' new single, Foo Fighters tour announcement". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ a b LeFevre, Jules (7 September 2023). "Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers Team Up with The Grogans on New Single 'Salt'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ a b Robinson, Ellie (2 April 2023). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers tease debut album with belting single 'Lights Out'". NME. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Sam Smith, Madonna & More: This Week's Best New Music". The Music. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ Singh, Surej (8 June 2023). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers announce debut album 'I Love You' with new single 'Never Saw It Coming'". NME. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Mongredien, Phil (30 September 2023). "One to watch: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Ellie (27 July 2023). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers Drop New Single 'I Used To Be Fun', Announce 'I Love You' Album Tour". The Music. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers Announce Deluxe Version Of Debut Album, 'I Love You Too'". Music Feeds. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ a b Green, Thomas (4 October 2023). "Album: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers - I Love You". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ a b Marshall, Dylan (5 October 2023). "Album Review: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers - I Love You (2023 LP)". The AU Review. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ Hodge, Jazz. "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers – I Love You". Clash. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ Wilson, Zanda. "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Say 'I Love You' on New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.