Album Review – Who Really Cares by TV Girl

Charlotte Price, Reporter
@charpcourant

Tracks

1. Taking What’s Not Yours
2. Song About Me
3. Cigarettes out the Window
4. Till You Tell Me to Leave
5. Not Allowed 
6. (Do The) Act Like You Never Met Me
7. Safeword
8. For You
9. Loving Machine
10. Heaven is a Bedroom

Who Really Cares is the second studio album produced by TV Girl, a band known for their frequent use of distorted samples, provocative (and at times controversial) topics, and signature indie and dreamy sound in their songs. Based out of San Diego with members Brad Petering, Jason Wyman, and Wyatt Harmon, the band formed in 2010 and began gaining popularity when TV Girl’s Todd Rundgren sampling song “If You Want It” popularized on the internet and became popular enough for Warner Music Group to notice it and later take it down. Its style, though unlike any other bands, follows in the footsteps of 80’s and 90’s signature dream pop style.

Who Really Cares follows the tortured soul of a lover whose anger, spite, and distress weaves its way through every song; the lyrics’ bluntness and sometimes shocking nature compliment Brad Petering’s soft and calming voice, while blending seamlessly with the samples added in the songs. Often touching on subjects such as dissatisfaction, jealousy, unrequited attraction, and scorn towards past lovers, Brad frequently narrates his songs in the second person and responds to the dialogue using his persona, “Maddie”—which is really his voice pitched up to sound like a woman. The two characters wrangle in the songs in a hushed and calm voice while insulting each other and pointing out their flaws. Not only do the lyrics paint an individual’s interpersonal conflict, but they are also a shockingly blunt commentary at societal norms like ‘hookup culture,’ ‘ghosting,’—the act of showing attraction to someone and suddenly ignoring them or cutting them off—and the emotions surrounding them. 

The most well-known song on the album, Not Allowed, recently popularized again on the social media platform TikTok and has consistently appeared on the app in various trends to display users’ emotions regarding the album’s subjects. The song follows a spiteful man who is clearly hung up on an ex-lover and his speculations on why it ended, while criticizing her new boyfriend. The unrequited attraction he feels for her evokes feelings of anger, which is evident in the lyrics.

In terms of the music itself, TV Girl samples songs from the Yeastie Girlz, pitching them up and using them in the intro, chorus and outro. 

Although the original song holds a different meaning, TV Girl uses them to convey the man’s conflicting emotions towards his ex-lover. Although the rejection and embarrassment makes him spiteful, he still has feelings for the girl, and it upsets him that she’s found another man. He tries to force himself to not like her because he understands that she’s now in a relationship, but he fails miserably. The rest of the song slowly deteriorates into his increasing hatred of the situation—especially her partner—as he reflects on their differences and tries to assert his superiority over the man. 

Whether you found the album online or have been a fan since the very beginning, the album relates to everyone in some way. While others take the lyrics of the songs literally, others enjoy assigning their own meaning to the lyrics. Lyrics on their own, like “You don’t know how long I could stare into your picture and wish that it was me” can be interpreted in many different ways; if you’re a fan of diving deep into lyrical analysis or simply enjoy a catchy tune, this album is for you.

If you’re a fan of the album and want new TV Girl music, check out TV Girl’s 2014 album, “French Exit.”