Review: The Linda Lindas – “Growing Up”

Epitaph Records – 08 April 2022

The Linda Lindas put a young perspective on old school punk!  

If you are not familiar with The Linda Lindas, they are an all-female punk/power pop/new wave band and, yes, they are all very young (ages 11-17). This may make you think they are a novelty band, but that is far from the case. Their lyrics, although seemingly somewhat simple, are topical, socially conscious, youthful, and very catchy. What’s even more impressive is that all four members provide the vocals, and do it well including the youngest, Mila, playing the drums while signing lead vocals on certain songs. The Linda Lindas bring a youthful and a modern outlook with a kick butt classic punk sound on their debut full length.

Starting off the album is, “Oh!”. You may have heard this one before as it was a pre-release single back in July 2021. It’s a riot grrrl /80’s power pop fusion with great guitar riffs, an awesome bass line, and reverb group shouts of “Oh!” It is just a great song to light the fuse on this album.

To follow up a song like this and keep that fuse lit is another loud, fast, drums driven, super catchy song: the title track “Growing Up”. This one starts off with an acoustic guitar which might fool you into thinking they are slowing things down after an explosive first track but, nope, it launches right into screams and loud guitar riffs, all alternating back and forth with catchy vocals. Following this up is “Talking to Myself”, which takes it to a more poppy fun spot with simpler head bobbing lyrics. “Fine” is a more intense hard pounding punk song, with angry vocals and sort of reminiscent of a Bikini Kill song.

“Nino” is a song about a cat and if you have heard their 2020 self-titled EP, then this comes to you as no surprise as you are probably familiar with their other cat song “Monica”. This one has a really nice bass line and the bridge has a very cool low vocal effect. I just wonder if Nino and Monica get along now that they both have their own song.

Skipping ahead to the Spanish lyrics-only “Cuantas Veces” (trans- “How Often”), which is a little more chill and showcases the band is proficient in more than just punk chords. The album’s final track “Racist, Sexist Boy” is another one you may have heard before, as the video of the band playing it live in a public library put them into the spotlight. This anti-prejudice song that was inspired by a real-life experience, and the lyrics need no explanation, with music is heavy on the punk with grungy vocals and guitars.

Growing Up is simply a super catchy album that is parts garage punk, pop, melodic, aggressive, and a fun record that has something for everyone of all ages. My 6-year-old daughter was singing “Oh!” in the bathtub just last night! I highly recommend you pick this album up and put it on heavy rotation. Turn it up, talk to yourself, dance like nobody’s there, fly higher, and sing to your cat!