Track of the Day: Detention – Peachy Keen (2023)
With a reputation for high-powered, energetic and slightly frenzied performances, US-based group Detention smashes main stages at festivals with crowd-surfing fans. No, seriously, fans were crowd-surfing when they won the 24th Annual Tri-C High School Rock Off at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. You know you have an awesome band when fans are jumping about and being pushed along a chaotic crowd.
With the eldest member being under 20, the teen pop-punk group have performed at numerous festivals (PorchRokr, WonderStruck, WonderBus and WonderRoad), as well as winning the ‘Best Punk Band’ at the Cleveland Music Awards in 2022. A phenomenal achievement for any band but considering Detention is a force of nature it’s clear to see their musical talent thrive. From ’56 Minutes’ to ‘Faded, Not Jaded’, The Other Side Reviews has followed Detention’s progress with a keen ear. Come with us as we look at their latest single ‘Peachy Keen’.
Following the well-received track ‘Faded, Not Jaded’, ‘Peachy Keen’ is Detention’s first release in 2023. Retaining their Paramore influence, primarily because of Elliot Carter’s strong similarity to Hayley Williams, ‘Peachy Keen’ is a hard-hitting tune with a powerful pop-punk edginess. Interestingly enough, while I hear much Paramore in the single, the foursome seems to have evolved their sound adding a heavier 90s pop-rock style. Leaning toward Good Charlotte and Green Day, ‘Peachy Keen’ packs a punch with the pounding drums, dynamic guitars, and Carter’s enthusiastic voice.
What I find particularly intriguing about Detention and ‘Peachy Keen’ is how it opens with a simplistic soundscape as Carter elegantly traipses along a soft guitar; then, the gloves come off. The lads and lady pull out all the stops and crash into an energetic chorus enhancing the significant theme of ‘Peachy Keen’.
“This song is about being in a bad place, even when everything in your life is normal or going well. You start to try and justify how you’re feeling by looking for things that are going wrong, even when they aren’t. The whole song is about how it’s okay to be ‘not okay’, even when you feel like there isn’t anything wrong.” – Elliot Carter on ‘Peachy Keen’
Hard-hitting, sentimental and filled with introspection, Detention tackles a complex area of people’s lives with toe-tapping sincerity and understanding. I remark on the band’s similarity to Paramore but I believe they might be teetering over Hayley Williams as their sound becomes more sophisticated. Watch out Paramore, Detention is coming for you.
For more from Detention, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered on Musosoup #sustainablecurator
