Stream: Tennis System, ‘Shelf Life’

Kevin Bronson on July 8th, 2019

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The 4th of July has passed, but the summer of 2019 still has some fireworks in store: L.A. trio Tennis System will release their new album “Lovesick” on Aug. 2 via Graveface Records. It’s the band’s third album (and first full-length first since 2014’s “Technicolour Blind”) and the follow-up to last year’s “PAIN” EP.

“Lovesick” finds the trio — singer-guitarist Matty Taylor, bassist Sam Glassberg and drummer Garren Orr — still carrying the torch for their explosive brand of shoegaze: punk with a lead foot on the distortion pedals, but mindful of the melodies amid their layers of noise. It packs a wallop, and ever since Taylor arrived in L.A. from his native Washington, D.C., some eight years ago, Tennis System has done wonders for the earplug business.

The new album was recorded live to tape with producer-engineer Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Gouge Away, Jeff Rosenstock, Oathbreaker). The title reflects Taylor’s feelings about his art more than romance. “You love making music so much that it almost destroys you,” he says. “There are hopes and promises and disappointments, and all you want is the ability to do the thing you love, so you find a way to push through.”

On the album’s opener “Shelf Life,” Tennis System pushes for almost six minutes. It’s a battle won.

||| Stream: “Shelf Life”

||| Watch: The video for “Turn”