Girl Scout - “Weirdo”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 2

Pairs Well With…Alvvays, Big Thief, Beabadoobee

Hundreds of artists announced so far for SXSW 2023 and my favorite new find so far is Girl Scout. A Swedish band that is somehow both low-key and infectious, Girl Scout are immediately catchy while somehow sounding like they are not trying too hard. This kind of mid-tempo indie rock has been performed thousands of time before, but what separates Girl Scout are the details. Rising vocal lines, comfortable riffs, and tight, traditional songwriting - all these are found in Girl Scout’s music while still keeping a foot in grimy basements and lonely bedrooms. Even though they don’t move dramatically from quiet verse to big chorus like one would expect, the perfection of their melodies make it feel like each melody has been in your memory forever, even on first listen. Each of their three debut singles released so far will be feature on their debut EP Real Life Human Garbage, due in mid February, a collection that could turn Girl Scout from unknown upstarts to a band to follow given how strong they sound from note one. (Kevin McStravick)