Los Angeles-based indie-rock duo Mediocre makes an impressive entrance with their debut album, Growth Eater, produced by Danny Nogueiras at his Glassell Park studio. The duo—Piper Torrison (guitar, vocals) and Keely Martin (bass, vocals)—craft an album with a title ripe for introspection. Growth Eater can be seen as a reflection of how we devour ourselves with anxiety and overthinking while also symbolizing the shedding of toxic habits that hold us back. The duality within the title encapsulates the emotional complexity of the album.
Mediocre’s sound is a gritty blend of garage rock that echoes the raw, unpolished spirit of early Liz Phair but with a grungier, looser edge. Their music marries rugged guitar riffs with simultaneously vulnerable and confident vocals, creating an evocative atmosphere that lingers long after the songs end.
The album’s eight tracks offer standout moments that reveal Mediocre’s range and depth. “I Might Be Giant” is one highlight, anchored by tight, slightly ringing percussion and swampy, distorted guitars. The bassline drives the song with a steady, pulsing rhythm, while the vocals, almost crystalline in their delivery, add a layer of effortless cool that contrasts with the track’s grungy undertones.
Another gem is “Litterbug,” a track that flirts with punk energy, propelled by Martin’s relentless bassline. The song captures a sense of urgency, with the driving rhythm mimicking the frenetic pace of cluttered thoughts. The melody bursts with raw power, but the vocals shimmer, providing a sharp contrast to the heaviness of the instrumentation.
Reflecting on the song’s meaning, the duo explains, “It’s about littering your environment with your own clutter—your thoughts, your chaos. Knowing you’re the creator of your own mess is what stings the most, but owning it is the only way to start picking it up.” This candidness elevates “Litterbug” from a catchy song to an introspective anthem.
The album briefly detours with “Interlude,” a whimsical, nursery rhyme-inspired piece that feels delicate and refreshing against the more robust indie rock surrounding it. Its gentle simplicity offers listeners a brief, welcome respite—a moment to catch their breath before diving back into the album’s edgier tracks.
“Fun Time Fix (We Go Go)” channels a playful energy, its humming guitars and infectious rhythm recalling the playful exuberance of the B-52’s. Meanwhile, “Stepping Stool” opens with a cool, laid-back drum shuffle before diving into dirty, metallic guitar riffs. The ethereal vocals float above the chaos, conjuring an unexpected but satisfying echo of The Cranberries.
The album closes with “Kindling,” a track juxtaposing thick, sludgy guitars with soft, velvety vocals, creating a tension between heavy and light, forceful and tender. It’s a fitting end to an album that thrives on contrasts, leaving the listener captivated by the layered textures. Mediocre weaves throughout.
With Growth Eater, Mediocre defies the irony of their name. This debut is anything but middling—it’s a bold, assured statement from a band that’s just getting started.
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