Teenage Joans have dropped a new song right in the middle of their mini tour.
With Adelaide and two Melbourne shows still to come, the Adelaide duo – Cahli Blakers and Tahlia Borg – are back with “Sweet and Slow”. But true to form, the title is a bit misleading. Instead of a ballad, they’re serving up 2010s pop-punk nostalgia with big riffs, powerhouse vocals, and a punchy chorus.
“We love to refer to ‘Sweet and Slow’ as our ‘Disney Channel’ song, as it emanates that early 2010s pop-punk sound,” says vocalist and guitarist Blakers. “We brought this super catchy chorus we had written to Jayden Seely, who co-wrote the song with us. It was our first session with him, and the energy in the room was great – we all knew we were writing such a fun song.”
The lyrics pull from all corners – name-dropping Phoebe Bridgers, comparing love to a rigged game show. “The lyrics came naturally, and we love how effortlessly they match the song’s cheesy energy,” Blakers adds.
The accompanying video leans into the fun, placing the duo in a retro-style game show, The Joans Show. Watch it below.
The track follows their 2023 debut album, The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest, their recent single “1800-PAINLESS”, and a triple j Like A Version performance last year.
Previously featured on Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Teenage Joans delivered a stripped-back ‘In My Room’ session.
Since winning triple j Unearthed High in 2020, the duo has been on a steady rise. Their debut EP Taste of Me led to seven trophies at the 2021 SAM Awards, including Best New Artist and Best Live Performance, plus Best Punk Artist wins in 2022 and 2023.
They’ve toured Australia and the US with Foo Fighters, Sum 41, Noahfinnce, Amy Shark, Pale Waves, Ball Park Music, and The Chats, alongside their own headline tours and festival slots at Good Things, Unify, SXSW Austin, Splendour in the Grass, Groovin the Moo, Laneway, and Spin Off.
Last March, they returned to the US, supporting Noahfinnce (UK) before wrapping up 2024 touring with Sleeping With Sirens and Holding Absence.
Teenage Joans’ “Sweet and Slow” is out now. Grab tour tickets here.
