Teens of Style
by Car Seat Headrest
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Oct 30, 2015
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. musicOMH.com
    Oct 28, 2015
    100
    The quality of Toledo’s songs is gobsmacking; the lyrics are enthralling, the melodies are to die for, the musicianship is raw yet brilliant.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Oct 30, 2015
    91
    Those familiar with Toledo’s back catalog will marvel at the reworking of their favorite tracks, while the uninitiated will likely discover a bright young talent and wonder how the hell they’ve been missing out.
  3. Pitchfork
    Oct 28, 2015
    81
    The new recordings retain their rough edge, but there's luminescence in the production--the percussion is crisper, the guitars are brighter, and Toledo's singing is a lot more pronounced.
  5. Clash Music
    Nov 6, 2015
    80
    It's one young man's proper opening salvo cast as an entire genre's dying breaths. But for a last gasp, it sure sounds vital.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Nov 2, 2015
    80
    It's the best classic-rock record anyone under 50 is likely to make this year.
  7. AllMusic
    Nov 2, 2015
    80
    By the end of the album, as the waltzing piano ballad "Oh! Starving" fades, it's impossible not to be knocked out by what has come before and be super stoked for what might come next.
  8. Dusted Magazine
    Nov 3, 2015
    70
    Car Seat Headrest feels, at this point, like it’s about half under control, with Toledo at the wheel, yanking desperately to keep it on the road, and yet it’s sort of magnificent.
  9. PopMatters
    Nov 2, 2015
    70
    Songs occasionally wander, but they always have something to say. Which is what makes the purposeful distorting and distancing created by the vocal effects a curious distraction.
  10. The New York Times
    Oct 28, 2015
    70
    The music isn’t anywhere near pop-radio gloss. As Mr. Toledo sings about alienation, frustration, suicidal despair and, in “Times to Die,” about theological disputes and getting his demos heard, he’s still every bit the lone outsider. He’s lucky that he exorcises his troubles in the studio--or maybe we are.
  11. Uncut
    Oct 28, 2015
    70
    Toledo offers dense, self-analytical lyrics and a style that take in everything from The Zombies to the Pet Shop Boys, ambitious in scope and clearly much agonised-over. [Dec 2015, p.69]
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  12. Consequence
    Oct 28, 2015
    67
    Teens of Style has plenty of both [mistakes and experimentation], but it’s somehow all the more charming for it. This is an album that will grow on you and frustrate you, probably within the span of the same day.
  13. The Line of Best Fit
    Nov 2, 2015
    65
    While retaining links with Toledo's DIY past, much of the tracks bleed in to one another, making stand-out moments such as "The Drum" and "Times To Die" fall flatter than they deserve. Fortunately however, the entire second half of the record makes up for any early indiscretions.
  14. Under The Radar
    Nov 5, 2015
    55
    If he can lay off the muffled sound for his upcoming album of new material, Car Seat Headrest will really be able to take off as an excellent rock project. Until then, put on Teens of Style and yearn for the door to open and to hear these catchy, fuzzy tunes properly.

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Shared Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 48
  3. Negative: 8 out of 48
  1. podzorama
    Dec 1, 2015
    9
    One of the best artistic voices to emerge this year in a blistering album that, if you've never heard of Car Seat Headrest or Will ToledoOne of the best artistic voices to emerge this year in a blistering album that, if you've never heard of Car Seat Headrest or Will Toledo before, will get you avidly exploring his extensive ( given his tender years) back catalogue to find the origins of tracks presented here in this reworking of previous songs.
    Punchy with hooks and melodies that creep into your psyche until you realise you NEED these songs in your life, and lyrics that are by turns maudlin, tender, reflective and angry and frustrated " I want to break something important, I want to kick my Dad in the shins" he sings on Something Soon. Genius.
    Highly recommended.    … Full Review »
  2. brockcheese
    Aug 31, 2020
    8
    This is a strong debut with interesting instrumentation and lyricism. A great promise of things to come from the band. His voice sounds likeThis is a strong debut with interesting instrumentation and lyricism. A great promise of things to come from the band. His voice sounds like all of of the frailty of youth wrapped into one.… Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Dec 15, 2016
    8
    Garage/Bedroom indie rock polished up. "Teens of Style" is packed to the brim with guitar hooks and riffs. Catchy without being pop,Garage/Bedroom indie rock polished up. "Teens of Style" is packed to the brim with guitar hooks and riffs. Catchy without being pop, interesting without being overly engaging, I have difficulty describing how I feel about this album. It's undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the indie genre but it still doesn't quite blow me away. The texture of the songs remains the same across the album which is both a good and bad thing. If I were to change one thing it would be the vocal delivery. The muffled effect is overused. "Sunburned Shirts" and "Maud Gone" are the standouts. I'd recommend it even though its a bit of an enigma.… Full Review »
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