One of the last and most welcomed surprises of 2021 was the debut LP of the self-proclaimed “youngest, dumbest, and stupidest band in the whole world”: Shedonist.
Of course, after listening to the eight tracks included in Young, Dumb & Stupid, this slogan turns out to be completely false. Garage rock, some grunge and raw sounds and well-crafted and catchy choruses are the formula of this young band led by vocalist and guitarist Jasmin Toubi.
Liberation, joy, satisfaction, female empowerment, and hints of humor are the topics that run through the repertoire of this four-piece rock band from Los Angeles.
Toubi is a frontwoman with a lot of charisma (the LP cover art is proof of this) and is convincing as the protagonist of the stories she sings with a vocal style alternating between fragility (“In My Might”, “Black Hole” , “I Don’t Want You Anymore”) and full-bodied shrieks (“Daddy”). The lyrics may be based on personal experiences, but they certainly address the conflicts, tribulations, and soul-searching of youth growing up in a world marked by a lack of certainty.
In the sound of Shedonist there is some nostalgia for the guitar bands of the early 70s, although they do not cease to sound current or seek to be a retro-rock band. Conor Spellane assumes his key role creating simple and never-too-distorted arrangements, transporting us to the California desert and revealing himself as a cultist of melody and subtle effects.
Walker DuBois is a discreet bassist who knows when and how to take part in the songs with his Fender left-handed precision bass guitar, sometimes adding distortion. His plectrum technique adds a robust, clear and sometimes aggressive and melodic sound. He co-writes the lyrics with Toubi and is also the artist behind the visual design and aesthetics of the album, achieving a super colorful result.
Ben Foerg is a talented drummer who is also the LP’s producer, engineer, and mixer, completing a quartet in which each member’s contributions are key and determine the strength of the band’s formula.
In Young, Dumb & Stupid, Shedonist achieves a solid, badass debut album that shows all the work rehearsal time and touring that allowed their songs to bloom before recording them in the studio. If you are looking for a band with attitude and ambition, do not hesitate to listen to this album and the ones to come.
I’m Music Magazine Writer Emiliano Doldan
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