Western Australian act DETOUR channel all the angst and energy of youth into their debut EP Say the Word. It’s an impressive first release from a band still in their teens.
You might expect performers so young to sound a little green, but DETOUR have been together since they were just 11. Through those years together they’ve created a sound that’s confident and strong, if not totally polished. Let’s face it though, punk should be a little rough around the edges.
I might be decades older than the members of this band, but I found their songs so relatable. If you’ve ever felt like the black sheep, you’re going to love “Hard 2 Please”. “Red Flag” is bound to resonate with anyone who’s made the wrong decisions in the name of love. The closing punk-rock anthem “Say the Word” brings back all the awkwardness and uncertainty of first crushes.
When I was growing up, so many of the performers who wrote the angsty songs I connected with were twice my age. How exciting to have a band like DETOUR exploring the frustrations of the teen experience as they’re living it. Their music is so authentic, and so powerful, whether they’re rocking hard or taking a moment for quiet contemplation. I love it as an adult, but you can bet I’ll be sharing it with my teenage niece.
Say the Word is out now.
Image used with permission from beehive; main image credit: Mitch Love