[rating=7.00]
The first full-length record from Vancouver band Jpnsgrls plays out like the fast-paced, hormonal diary of a teenager. Circulation is an impressive debut from the young foursome, and tackles some pretty hard-edged themes. With a “live fast die young” mentality laced through the record like a sketchy joint, Jpnsgrls simultaneously arouse the fear of growing up and the exhilaration that comes with being young.
The Sandlot reference of opening track “Smalls” shows their (young) age, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Electric veins run through Circulation, and it’s filled with spontaneity, romance and urgency that can only describe what it’s like to be an angsty teen. Combined with the old-fashioned garage rock simplicity they employ in their guitar playing and throbbing percussion, listening to them is like watching your high school years flash by before your eyes in one toxic blink of an eye.
The question of “what does it all mean?” rears its ugly head on many of these songs, particularly amidst heavy experimentation with sex, drugs, alcohol and even violence. But the authenticity is unmistakable, and the wounds are so fresh, it’s like graduation day was yesterday. These are the tales of the formative years as told by the outcasts who were ready to grow up too so
These songs paint a vivid picture of the banalities of coming of age in small town suburbia, from braving bullies and nosebleeds, to slingshots (“David and Goliath”) and crooked teeth (“Brace Yourself”). There are endless bodily references here, which keep these painfully true stories so grounded in reality, never approaching melancholy territory. “Tennis Shoes” seems to stand out amongst the rest, as a particularly affecting display of longing and identity crisis.
Another look back at the horribly difficult high school experience is “Southern Comforting”, a drinking song that compares Makers Mark to mother’s milk, reeking of that distinctly restless and curious spirit of youth. But these aren’t tried and true alcoholics; they’re kids caught up in an intense moment that just feels like forever, the way everything feels at a certain age. “I don’t regret it if you don’t regret it,” they sing, poignantly, yet simply, capturing that impulsive teenaged need to escape life for a bit. And thanks to the frantic and impassioned vocals, we escape with them.
The shredding is majorly impressive on “Laughing Gas”, and much like its title suggests, “Mushrooms” is full of crazy, acid trip-worthy guitar licks. The imagery described on “From the East” brings you right back to school with mentions of hallways, curfews, partying and even horniness, and the immediacy of this song reminds us of when we, too, were too big for our britches.
Jpnsgrls explore the familiar idea of being a big fish in a little pond, and the inevitable frustration of being trapped in your hometown, whether you like it or not. Circulation is a mature endeavor that deals with immaturity without over romanticizing it. There’s no shortage of grittiness in these stories, and thanks to the guys that wrote it all down, we can rest assure that no matter the generation, everyone went through the pain of puberty.
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