TEEEL - Overtime

(Self-release 2018)

TEEEL's new album, Overtime, lives on the border between synthwave, indie rock and modern synthpop. It is certainly retro-flavored, but the songwriting on Overtime reminds me more of bands from the 'early '00s than pop or soundtrack music from the '80s. So, in that sense, it harkens back to an earlier wave of nostalgia for the '80s. It is nostalgia for nostalgia.



There are some great moments on Overtime. The opener, "Radar Lovin" is an ear worm. "Synth City," which features a guest appearance from Suzanne, has the early '00s Brooklyn sound down pat, only the synths and guitars have a lushness you didn't really hear at that time. My other favorite, "Good Enough," features Erika Leigh on vocals and introduces a bit of Lisa Lisa to the formula.

The problem with Overtime is that, I don't really feel anything when I listen to it. In fact, I am not really sure what the intended mood of the album is. Most songs have a melancholic element to them, but TEEEL seem afraid to embrace that melancholy. Or maybe this is music by someone who likes melancholic music but isn't melancholic himself. Either way, I felt a mismatch between what is projected, superficially, and what lies underneath the surface. For me, this is a very well-made album that sounds different and so is exciting, but is also not sure what it is or wants to be. 

Score: 7.0