As the days of coastal and midwest emo seem to fade away, the next generation of tenderly sensitive rockstars is bound to come from those regions in between — namely, of course, Texas.
Enter Dallas-based musician and self-described “alt popstar” Penny Bored, who has shared a handful of singles since they first got onto the scene in 2020. It was only on September 22 that Penny Bored, a genuinely DIY musical outfit piecing together CD drops and crowdsourcing clips for music videos, released their first proper EP in What If? As If!
Opening track “Cry Baby” sets the tone for the rest of the EP, with sharp pop punk-influenced guitars as the lyrics bemoan the woes of interpersonal relationships. With a catchy chorus and singalong bridge, it’s immediately clear that these are songs made for the stage.
While comparisons to Paramore are inevitable for any non-man in rock, and almost invariably eye-roll inducing, it’s hard to ignore the parallels to the longtime legends within Penny Bored’s body of work; “Karma” features the sort of sharply delivered, fast-paced lines and crisp production that are enough to evoke a sort of 2007 Riot! nostalgia without being too heavy-handed in its homage.
There are quieter moments on What If? As If! as well. “Clean,” namely, is a slower offering that strips away some of the layers of guitar fuzz and allow Penny Bored’s emotionality to shine through the lyrics.
Shortly after the EP’s release, Penny Bored took to X to rightfully celebrate, sharing “can we talk about how incredibly brave it was for me to start a band in my mid 20s with practically zero experience… it’s been really healing and honestly I don’t think I give myself enough credit most days.”
We’re here to give credit where credit is due — and Penny Bored has potential beyond our two cents. Check out What If? As If! for yourself.