Listen: TEEN – “Not For Long”

Last we heard from Brooklyn, NY four-piece, TEEN, they had gone yet another direction toward wiry, new wave on last year’s Carolina EP after their 2012 debut showcased a more lo-fi, often dream-pop approach.

It may or may not come as a surprise that Teeny Lieberson & Co. bolt off sideways again on “Not For Long”, the lead single from their upcoming album, The Way And The Color. Lieberson’s buttery rich vocals cruise over a simple and charming old school RnB beat. As a stark contrast to earlier material, the sound is warm and smooth. It’s striking to hear the band so subdued; when Lieberson warns, “danger, oh danger, you might lose your balance”, it’s as if the band are reassuring themselves.

Of course, once you’ve settled into TEEN’s voluptuous groove here, they cut the wires and toss in a brass fanfare. A snaky synth line worms its way in as the beat returns in double-time, and howls of guitar feedback buried deep in the mix ensure that everything doesn’t get too ebullient. Just when you thought you had this tune sorted, the ladies from TEEN brilliantly and stubbornly refuse to be categorized.

The Way And The Color is out 22 April on Carpark Records, following an appearance at SXSW next month.