Review by Shannon Shumaker
Finding a band that stands out in 2019’s pop-punk scene is admittedly difficult. It’s not that there aren’t any good modern pop-punk artists on the rise (bands like State Champs, Real Friends among many others are proof of this) but in a genre that is driven by punchy guitar, catchy choruses and emotive lyrics, it can be hard to find artists that have the staying power that bands like Simple Plan, Good Charlotte and Sum 41 did. Then, there are bands like Virginia-based quartet, Telltale.
Timeless Youth, the follow-up to Telltale’s 2017 four-song EP, Good Intentions sounds exactly how the title suggests. Filled to the brim with youthful energy, catchy choruses and memorable lyrics, Timeless Youth has Telltale set to spearhead this generation’s pop-punk resurgence.
Kicking things off is the high energy, punch title track, “Timeless Youth,” which falls in line with artists like State Champs and will certainly make you want to get up and move. By the time “Timeless Youth” comes to an end, the earworm of a chorus is bound to get stuck in your head just in time for “Bouquet” to become your new favorite song. And where “Timeless Youth” is spearheaded by its high energy sound, “Bouquet” really shines vocally and lyrically, touching on the ups and downs of life in vivid lines like, “Some days are in grayscale and others are in pantone.”
Telltale definitely has a distinct sound that can be heard across the entirety of the EP (the songwriting formula consists of large verses spearheaded by a strong rhythm section followed by an anthemic chorus) but that being said, none of the songs feel repetitive or stale. Instead, each track on Timeless Youth is exciting to listen to and showcases a different side of Telltale. While the energetic “What We Live For” feels perfect for long summer drives, “Letting Go” slows things down for a more emotional, hopeful vibe, and “Dazy” quickly picks up the pace again. Then there’s the self-aware track, “Rose,” which is driven by introspective, self-conscious lyrics that are sure to hit home with fans. The heartbreaking final track, “Hereditary” is where Telltale really showcase their versatility, though, kicking off with somber guitar and vocals before the song explodes at the halfway mark.
Timeless Youth is the perfect snapshot of Telltale’s energetic sound and shows a ton of promise for the future. While songs like “Timeless Youth” and “Bouquet” showcase the band’s ability to churn out soon to be fan-favorite pop-punk anthems, other tracks like “Rose” and “Hereditary” prove that they’re not a one trick pony. With Timeless Youth under their belts, Telltale are ready to take the pop-punk world by storm this summer, and you’re going to want to know who they are.
LISTEN TO: “Timeless Youth” or “Bouquet”
STAY CONNECTED WITH TELLTALE: https://www.facebook.com/telltalerva/