Add Trainwreck Boyfriend to the growing heap of bright young indie talent shaping more affordable Philadelphia into something resembling Brooklyn South. That its key members came together at a Beths show in 2023 should tell you something about where the female-fronted band’s sound falls in the alt-rock spectrum, though Trainwreck Boyfriend’s heavy jangle is fleshed out with a more synth-driven ’80s vibe
Freakshow is….. tight, hooky, and emotionally generous, a fist-pump anthem for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in.
There’s a particular kind of confidence that comes from embracing your weird and not apologizing for it, not sanding it down, but cranking it through a fuzz pedal and daring anyone to flinch. On “Freakshow,” Philadelphia’s Trainwreck Boyfriend do exactly that, delivering a two-minute-and-57-second manifesto for the misfits that feels equal parts basement-show catharsis and glittery alt-pop rally cry.
From the jump, the guitars arrive in a bright, chiming rush, think the sugar-spiked crunch of Veruca Salt colliding with the melodic jangle of The Beths. The rhythm section keeps things taut and propulsive, but it’s frontwoman Greta Madeline who steals the spotlight. Her vocal delivery carries a knowing smirk and a razor’s edge vulnerability that calls to mind Liz Phair at her most magnetic — conversational but cutting, sweet but never soft.
If this is the freakshow, count us in.
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Those unforgettable melodies that stay in your head, strong and well-built, pushed forward by female voices. That’s exactly what you’ll find on this album, and it’s honestly impressive how solid it feels from start to finish.
Trainwreck Boyfriend is a compendium of love songs, dedicated to and inspired by female-fronted indie bands of the 90s and beyond, taking their grit, glamour, and determination to gift the listener something beautiful – a flawless album that respects the past but lives in the present.
Indie rockers Trainwreck Boyfriend certainly have the acumen for crafting emotional rock anthems, as this is pretty evident after listening to their newest album.
(Freakshow) blends crunchy guitars with wiry synth lines and an unmistakable ’80s shimmer, giving its alt-rock backbone a danceable edge. Greta Madeline’s vocal cuts through with sharp wit and raw charm, delivering confessional lyrics that feel both self-aware and defiant. The hooks land fast and stick hard, echoing influences like The Beths and Veruca Salt without feeling derivative.
t’s easy to become obsessed with Trainwreck Boyfriend’s catchy sound and truth-riddled lyrics; the band absolutely nails their vision for their debut record, telling us, “We don’t just want listeners to hear our music; we want them to feel something that hits hard and sticks.”
There’s a refreshing honesty that comes through on the self-titled debut Trainwreck Boyfriend from the Philly indie rock outfit. Right from the start the record feels like a candid invitation into their world, one where emotional complexity is embraced rather than masked. That spirit carries the album carving a sound that’s simultaneously gritty, melodic, and deeply human.
