Sink Your Teeth: Neon Trees' Electrifying Dive into Vulnerability, Heartbreak, and Redemption
Written by: Mikaila Storrs
Neon Trees is an American alternative rock band known for their infectious blend of new wave, pop-rock, and synth-pop sounds. Their vibrant, '80s-inspired style—fueled by catchy hooks, pulsating rhythms, and frontman Tyler Glenn's charismatic vocals—has cemented them as a staple in both the indie and pop-rock scenes. Across their discography, Neon Trees explores themes of love, identity, and self-discovery, often blending personal and societal commentary with upbeat melodies.
In their latest album, Sink Your Teeth, Neon Trees continues to navigate bold emotional landscapes, blending nostalgia with a modern flair. The album delves deeper into Glenn's personal experiences, tackling vulnerability, heartbreak, and redemption, all while maintaining the band's signature balance of infectious pop energy and introspective depth. Sink Your Teeth solidifies Neon Trees’ place as a band unafraid to grow, delivering tracks that resonate both musically and emotionally.
Lead singer Tyler Glenn explains his songwriting process for this album, saying, “I focused on what I could control. Most of us were out in orbit, spiraling, but writing music was something I could do. I wrote by myself, I wrote with other artists, and this collection of songs came from that. It taught me a valuable lesson in sticking with your gut. We could have released one-off singles or hopped on a trend, but as a band, we’ve always done what we wanted to do and made the type of music we wanted to make. There’s a vein of honesty we’ve always evoked, but this album is as real and as honest as possible.”
The song Secret is an upbeat pop melody capturing the essence of yearning for someone who isn’t physically present. The protagonist dreams of this person but keeps his feelings locked away, creating a sense of hidden desire.
Recover draws a vivid comparison between heartbreak and addiction. Despite having a new lover, the protagonist confesses he’ll never fully recover from his past relationship. No matter what, thoughts of his ex linger, even when he turns to drugs, alcohol, or other people. The emotional hold his ex has on him remains impossible to shake.
In Bad Dreams, we delve into the recurring fantasies of being with someone he can't have in reality. The infectious beat complements the dreamlike state he longs to stay in, especially with the line, “I don’t want anyone to wake me up.” There’s a magnetic pull in how he indulges in these vivid dreams, even though he knows they’re wrong. This emotional tension, combined with the song’s irresistible rhythm, makes it one of the standout tracks on the album.
Acting slows the tempo to reflect on childhood memories and the emotional burden of a toxic, codependent relationship. This song reveals how much of his youth Tyler Glenn sacrificed to someone who didn’t deserve it, opening up about his struggles with substance abuse—even in the midst of rehab. The line “I’ve got a sore throat, from sucking you off” serves as a stark metaphor for the emotional exhaustion of constantly seeking validation, making this track a raw and powerful portrayal of vulnerability.
It’s a fun, electrifying listen that doesn’t shy away from exploring the highs and lows of human experience, making Sink Your Teeth a standout pop record full of both energy and heart.