As one of the most innovative bands in modern music, with a sound that slots perfectly between the all-too-long isolated genres of hardcore and metal, Teen Mortgage has been turning heads since their 2018 debut Life/Death for good reason. Now, after winning two Wammie Awards, securing coveted opening slots for scene veterans like Surf Curse and Ron Gallo, and earning high-profile sync deals with Vans Shoes, Evil Bikes, and the Showtime series Shameless, the duo is back with “Smoked”, a triumphant post-pandemic return that’s equal parts unapologetically cathartic and patently optimistic. The shrewd lyrics recount the importance of escapism in enduring the national dystopian state that arose over the past year-and-a-half, with skateboarding as the central allegory. (“Smoked” is slang used in skate culture to describe when someone eats shit while attempting a trick.)

Backing up the strong thematic core are hard-hitting instrumentals that recall an all-star cast of modern punk vanguards. The introductory feedback squall pays homage to Thee Oh Sees’ psych-influenced garage rock. The elaborate bass-heavy percussion provides a relentless, hammering beat that would feel at home on any Eyehategod album. The overdrive-laden guitar riff, a central component of the rhythm section, calls to mind the fuzzy, surf-tinged sound that put Wavves on the map. Even the powerful vocals, monotone yet near-howling, pay homage to the early metal-fusion of Helmet. 

Of course, a proper review wouldn’t be complete without giving a nod to the exceptional production quality, courtesy of METH RATS’ Justin Day. Warm vocals and a punchy midrange combine with booming bass to achieve an altogether balanced mix that still manages to retain punk’s characteristic lo-fi spirit.