I guess if today’s two bands joined forces, they could be Texan Twisted Terns?
Twisted Teens
Florida Water Blues
2026, 7.5/10
New Orleans cowpunk band Twisted Teens are one of the indie it bands of 2026. They’ve already released two studio albums this year, with a third due soon, and they’ve recently signed with Sub Pop. The label cowpunk is usually reserved for 1980s groups like Lone Justice and Social Distortion, but it makes sense for the raw-edged, country-tinged collective.
Twisted Teens are centred around vocalist Caspian Halliwell and lap steel player RJ Santos. Halliwell’s vocals are agreeably raw and passionate, and he’s a compelling, likeable frontman. He’s also a fascinating interviewee:
The guy that made the most money during the gold rush was the guy selling pickaxes, you know? It’s wild these guitar players, I’ve been seeing them at gigs for years, this new generation, they literally can’t play a lick and they have like $1,200 worth of pedals in front of them. Take that money, and instead of giving it to a man to make pedals, give it to a man to teach guitar!
Caspian Hollywell, Big Takeover
It’s lovely when they dial down the intensity for ‘Javelina’. Sometimes Hollywell’s vocals tend towards spoken word, making the band sound like The Hold Steady, like on ‘Business’. The earnest, literal title track sounds a little like the Replacements.
I hope you enjoyed this record – I expecting to feature a couple more Twisted Teens records in the next couple of months.
Shearwater
The New World
2026, 8/10
Texan band Shearwater began as a spinoff project from indie band Okkervil River, founded by Jonathan Meiburg and Will Sheff for the quieter songs they were writing together. Meiburg, who has a master’s degree in geography with a focus on ornithology, took the band’s name from a family of seabirds (which includes The Mutton Birds). Sheff left the band after 2006’s Palo Santo, leaving it as a vehicle for Meiburg.
Meiburg also works as a scientist, and his work bleeds into his art. Field recording of Tasmanian forest ravens feature on “The Only Sound I’m Afraid Of,“ while the coyotes of Highland Park also make an appearance. If you’re looking for a band that recreate the atmospheric Talk Talk sound of Spirit of Eden, you’ll love this. The use of woodwinds, the emotive vocals, and jazzy drumming all recall Talk Talk’s post-rock years.
The moody ‘More and More’ is the closest to Talk Talk. But the suddenly savage guitar outburst on ‘The Only Sound I’m Afraid Of’ is my favourite moment. Laurie Anderson guests on the closing ‘You And Your Dog’, and it sounds like Cassandra Jenkins’ recent records. The single ‘Slugs in the Marigold’ feels a little Beatlesque.
It’s hard to weigh up records in a long, illustrious discography, but this is a strong entry into Shearwater’s catalogue.
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Both Twisted Teens and Shearwater are new to me. Based on the songs you called out, I like both with a slight preference for Twisted Teens.
I think you’ll be hearing more from Twisted Teens – kind of poised for a breakout, although that raw sound isn’t super mainstream.
A big yes on Twisted Teens… I love that comment about guitar players…I can see that. I like this song a lot. It has a rough sound and it’s melodic…it sounds like they just plugged in and started to play…thumbs up!
Shearwater…you don’t get many scientist musicians I wouldn’t think! I like the laid back feel and the touch of that saxophone. I like the dreamy atmosphere but it isn’t ambient at all…and yes I can hear a slight Beatlesque sound.
That Twisted Teens guy seems like an interesting interview – like an old soul who’s doubtful of new technology.
I guess Brian May could have been a notable scientist, but chose music.
In the 80s, I met a few musicians who had money and they did have the very best equipment money could buy…and they could barely play…just enough to survive. So that part…I get.
Yea that is true about May.
I really enjoy album reviews that encourage listeners to explore beyond the obvious singles. A great record often reveals its personality through repeated listening, where small details in production, arrangement and songwriting become more noticeable.
Independent music writing is still very valuable because it gives context to releases that might otherwise disappear among thousands of new songs being published every week. Discovering new artists through thoughtful reviews is one of the best parts of being a music fan. https://sedahang.com/
Great write up. I’ve been listening to the Twisted Teens a lot. I listened to Blame the Clown followed by Florida Water Blues in one session, and there’s indeed some great moments. His voice got a little much after a while -my only misgiving. The track Wild Connection is as perfect a rock song I’ve heard.
New one coming soon too. I wonder what the last time is when someone released three strong albums in a year. Fairport Convention in 1969?