Car Seat Headrest's first proper studio album for Matador. The album comes after 12 previous releases (all self-released, not on label, or compilations of sorts), so I think it's safe to say Teens Of Denial has been a long time coming. For the uninitiated, Car Seat Headrest is a long running project by Seattle singer/songwriter Will Toledo. What started in 2010 as a solo bedroom project, err.. car seat project (Will would actually record vocals in his family's car), is now a full-on band. Not to worry though, the growth and success hasn't detracted from the intimate, DIY aesthetic of the music. If anything it is even more personal and self-aware as ever. Take a listen on "Drugs With Friends," "Fill In The Blank," the Cars-esque "Not what I Needed," "Cosmic Hero," and "1937 State Park." Fans of Belle And Sebastian, Yo La Tengo, Pavement, etc. will be into this. Comes in gatefold sleeve with digital download.

• black double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• digital download included
• music label: Matador 2016

reviewed by Brice Sprungteen 07/2016