Carla J. Easton

Teen Canteen, Mono, Glasgow, Rating: ****

In 2012, five women from Glasgow collectively agreed that the holy grail recipe for perfect pop involved three-part harmony, booming beats and simple, haunting synth lines. As it turned out, they were entirely correct.

Four years on from this eureka moment, TeenCanteen have honed their formula with a debut album recorded in mono and titled Say It All With a Kiss. It will almost certainly become a touchstone for discerning fans of sharp, lyrical indie-pop.

They performed practically every track from the record at this packed-out launch party. There were points, especially during impressively crafted gems such as Honey and You’re Still Mine, where my resistance to hyperbole was hopelessly conquered by the realisation that they’re one of the best new groups I’ve heard in years.

Their songs of devotion, heartache and sisterhood are underpinned by an irresistibly yearning sense of melancholy. That’s always been key to the classic girl-group sound, which TeenCanteen embellish with a distinct identity of their own.

Key to their appeal is singer/keyboardist and chief songwriter Carla Easton, whose sprite-like appearance belies a strong, soulful voice. She sings in her native accent, which adds to the charm without ever once hinting at cutesy kitsch. On the contrary, Easton’s gang radiate a kind of sweet, wise sincerity, which elevates their music beyond mere pastiche.

If Phil Spector was ever called upon to produce The Bangles in a Glasgow basement, the results would probably sound something like this. The unaffected magic of TeenCanteen is something to behold.

PAUL WHITELAW - The Scotsman

Never ones to deny us of a singalong chorus, TeenCanteen’s debut album Say It All with a Kiss is packed full of infectiously catchy, sing-into-your-hairbrush indie pop anthems that'll make you feel 14 again.

The album's tracklist nods to childhood nostalgia in the playfulness of the titles, such as Kung Fu Heartbeats, How We Met (Cherry Pie) and Candyfloss. This theme runs throughout the album: the band bring their best cheerleader impressions as they belt out 'It’s A-L-W-A-Y-S / It’s always for you' on Roses (My Love), and frontwoman Carla Easton takes innocent hindsight to a new level on How We Met (Cherry Pie), singing, 'Like sugar in my cup of coffee / Apples dipped in toffee / This is how we met.' The Glasgow girl-band’s knack for combining sugary sweet, nursery rhyme-esque lyrics with hammering melodies is undeniable, and it makes for the best kind of punch-packing bubblegum pop. - The Skinny

Glasgow four-piece TeenCanteen set to release debut album

THE alt-pop outfit will release Say It All With A Kiss on Friday 9th September following a launch night at Mono, Glasgow on the 8th.


TeenCanteen, who are Carla Easton (lead vocals/synth), Chloe Philip (guitar/vocals), Sita Pieraccini (bass/vocals), and Deborah Smith (drums), recorded their forthcoming album with producer Stephen Watkins at TAPE Studio, Edinburgh.

Supported by a devoted and ever-growing fan-base, the recording and release of Say It All With A Kiss was made possible by a successful PledgeMusic crowdfunding campaign.


A rousing and harmonic prologue fires straight into defiant rock banger ‘Sister’ as Say It All With A Kiss gets off to a strong start. Easton’s vocal explores a wide range and compliments the pace of the track as glittering synth notes and crashing drums bring ‘Sister’ to a close.

The undercurrent of synth is present throughout Say It All With A Kiss featuring on pop sing-along ‘Kung Fu Heartbeats’ and on the harmony-laden and atmospheric ‘Friends’. The influence of established Glasgow synth acts like CHVRCHES and Prides is evident, as well as others in the rock sphere, such as the heavy harmonies of Honeyblood and pop-complexity of Django Django.

Say It All With A Kiss is a well-structured and uplifting album that peaks precisely in the middle, with singles ‘Honey’ and ‘How We Met (Cherry Pie)’. The former is a tentative love song drenched in metaphors and harmonic imagery. Polished pop perfection, Easton describes the mystery man “he’s the cream for the cat, he’s a walk in the park, he’s a rebel on the run, and he’s stolen my heart.”

Latest single ‘How We Met (Cherry Pie)’ utilises classic three-part harmonies and minimal instrumentation to cut to the gooey core of TeenCanteen – sweet, sticky and joyful. There’s still enough room however for their trademark shimmering synths and driving backline provided by the drums of Smith and Pieracinni’s bass.

‘Dancing (Hey You)’ offers the album some shade, yet it very much stands out with it’s bending guitar notes and dramatic soundscape. Lyrically it explores the topic of love from a more twisted and dark angle, “sweet thing, giving me the kisses causing ulcers”.

Amongst the synth-pop joyfulness, what Say It All With A Kiss does well is it throws up a little surprise just when you’re least expecting it. Whether it’s The Cairn String Quartet that feature on the playful and juvenile ‘Roses (My Love)’ or the dramatic and poignant string-led interlude ‘Symphony For The Kids’, TeenCanteen have been able to tastefully collate the best elements of their musicality to create an interesting, diverse and spirited soundscape.

‘Motorbikes’ and ‘Sirens’ are late album treats that feel heartfelt and reminiscent, showing yet again another side to TeenCanteen’s songwriting.

It’s really hard to fault Say It All With A Kiss, overall it’s a nicely balanced album. TeenCanteen perfectly blend light and shade, understand the pace of a record and explore the depths of their musicality whilst still being mindful of staying true to their pop roots. Singles like ‘Honey’, ‘Sister’ and ‘How We Met (Cherry Pie)’ have been written and produced expertly and simply sound massive, while the LP brings up a few surprises and nice rest bites from the mayhem in the form of gentle prolugues, interludes and preludes.

5/5

TeenCanteen will release Say It All With A Kiss via Last Night From Glasgow Records on Friday 9th September following the launch night Thursday 8th September at Mono, Glasgow.

For more info visit www.teencanteen.co.uk - The Music Brewery