Junior Varsity Greg Varteresian and Zach Michel return with "Side B," a volatile, high-energy companion piece to their self-titled debut. A six-track work packing anthemic alt-rock, nostalgic pop-punk, and experimental electronic production into a whiplash-inducing rollercoaster that does not quit pulsing with emotion and urgency.
The opening track, "Tamarin," sets the tone with darkly ethereal production and wistful guitar riffs, echoing the world-weary intensity of its lyrics: "I wrote a song today. It doesn't end." "Tamarin" bubbles into a whirling chaos that invites you further into Junior Varsity's sonic universe.
Then it's "Singapore," a frenetic, high-tempo number propelled by retro synths and a gripping story of betrayal and success. It's disorienting, relentless, and altogether absorbing. "Rushh" comes next, combining 21st-century alternative rock with '90s pop-punk nostalgia. Its infectious hook and acoustic flourishes encapsulate the reckless freedom of an endless summer, a feeling mirrored in its cinematic, road-trip-gone-wrong music video.
"Cody Prince" changes gears into an emotional, reflective interlude. Michel's yearning vocals and warm production create a poignant high point, conjuring the slickness of memory, loss, and longing. Meanwhile, "Share Ur Feelings," a previously released single, examines themes of belonging and self-acceptance with an unforgettable, aurally stunning music video.
The closing track, "I'm Not a Boy," explodes with scrappy punk energy and sun-soaked instrumentation, closing the EP on a defiant, liberating note.