photo by Jonathan Hislop Photography; photo courtesy of Knyvet
Album Review of Today Junior: Stranger Days
One of the advantages of a long review queue is that, after I decide to add an album to the queue, it’s often weeks later that I first really dig into the record’s sound. The advantage is that it’s weeks or more since I last read anything about the music – even the subject line of the e-mail – so my description really is my impression of the record. In this case, I decided Today’s Junior‘s sound might be best-described as “laid-back surf pop-punk.” Curious, I checked out the band’s press release, and it refers to Today Junior as “indie fuzz-punk surf-rock.” I like that, too. It adds language that captures the band’s low-fi alt-rock production and the kind of fuzzy veneer on the guitarwork that I hadn’t quite captured in my quick descriptor. When you listen to Today Junior’s new album Stranger Days, you’ll hear a sound that encompasses both of those descriptive phrases.
Boston-based Today Junior is comprised of Harry O’Toole (guitar, lead vocals), Mike O’Toole (drums, percussion, backing vocals, harmonies), and Jonathan Hislop (bass, backing vocals). And Stranger Days is the band’s first full-length album since its self-titled 2023 release.
artwork by Harry O’Toole; image courtesy of Knyvet
The album Stranger Days is a fun full-length listen, as it contains a sound you can just melt into, easily missing the fact that you’ve just misplaced 37 minutes of your life to a single groovy style. The sound is comprised of jammin’ guitarwork, steadily thumping drums, and a kind of soft-touch vocal that’s probably the one element I wouldn’t say is really very much pop-punk. Rather, it’s got a laid-back surf feeling, as does some of the guitarwork, when it’s not jamming. Combined, the song has a sort of sunny twang, though with a noisy buzz befitting low-fi alt-rock.
While the album is permeated by a relatively steady groove, and many of the songs are relatively unassuming – pleasant and enjoyable but unassuming – a few tracks are notably attention-grabbing. One of those is the very first song, “If You Want To.” I absolutely suggest putting a catchy song first, particularly one that delivers a fun energy from the get-go, and the swirling guitar at the beginning of “If You Want To” is ideal in that regard. The song is a moderately high energy number with a cool guitar part and the repeated, eminently singalongable line: “If you want to, we could let go. Just hold my hand. Baby, let’s go.” Yes, you’ll be singing along by the end of the song. And in a live setting, the joint will be buzzing with energy. It’s not the only time on the disc Today Junior gets this energetic – they are a punk band, after all – but it’s at the peppier end of the songs on this record.
photo by Jonathan Hislop Photography; photo courtesy of Knyvet
“Werewolves of Boston” and “Keep On Pushing Me” are a couple of the other peppier songs on the record, though not quite as energetic as “If You Want To.” Maybe in spots, but not overall. “From the Sun” also clocks in with a moderately strong energy level, with the very surf-rock opening providing the first hint; indeed, the rhythm section keeps things pretty uptempo throughout, and there’s a cool lyric “ah-oo-ah-oo-ooh” that’s a fun singalong, though I tend to start howling when I sing along sometimes; the song doesn’t, but I do because it’s just plain fun. At least it’s in the spirit of the song.
Much of the rest of the album is a little more laid-back. And that’s a cool thing. There are some clever guitar sounds in “Wide Awake” worth listening for. “Coastlines” provides a pleasant road trip flavor – and lyrics like “let’s ride to the coast” help that feeling; combined with some interesting strumming and picking pattern, this is a song I’d pick as a favorite among the relaxed numbers.
And finally it’s worth calling out title track “Stranger Days,” which offers a little different feel, softly lilting harmonies, offering the sort of variety that’s an important component of an enjoyable full-album listen. And it’s a cool number that hints a little at psychedelic rock while offering a softer energy, likely to make it the favorite Today Junior song among one subsegment of the band’s fan base.
Beginning to end, the ten songs on Today Junior’s Stranger Days are a fun listen. And for alt-rock fans, soft-touch poppy punk fans, and those looking for a stylish long-form listen, I wholeheartedly recommend checking out this Today Junior album.
Looking Ahead
Today Junior earned a New England Music Awards nomination in the Punk Rock Act of the Year category. Winners will be announced on November 15th.
You can catch Today Junior live on Saturday, November 28th at Deep Cuts in Medford, MA. They’ll be part of a 4-band bill with K.C.U.F., Unseemlier, and Grub Lord.
