The Julies – Teenage Sadness

After a prolific run of releases marking their unexpected return to the indie landscape, The Julies open 2026 with the single “Teenage Sadness.” Nostalgic and shimmering, the track is a wistful anthem steeped in the gauzy and gaze-y glow of the band’s sonic roots.

A conspicuous sense of reflection runs through every note of “Teenage Sadness.” Its pensive verses give way to a towering, almost poppy chorus—a cathartic crash of overdriven guitars and chiming melodies that nod to the ‘90s wall-of-sound aesthetic that first inspired The Julies.

“Our formative years define us as individuals across the board,” says guitarist Patrick Zbyszewski. “That’s probably especially true as music listeners.” That belief hums at the song’s core, where memory, melody, and longing intertwine.

“At the time of writing, my family was really into belting out Lana Del Rey’s ‘Summertime Sadness’ in the car,” recalls singer Chris Newkirk. “Meanwhile, I’d fallen in love with Crowded House’s latest single at the time, ‘Teenage Summer.’ Somewhere between those two songs, I ended up with a song title that just screamed single—not to mention some license to keep indulging in the theme of personal nostalgia.”

Adding a fresh dimension to the band’s sound is Olivia Buchholz of Lancaster County synth-pop duo memory stitches, whose ethereal backing vocals thread through the chorus. Her sweet, fairy-pop tone amplifies the song’s youthful ache, bringing an unexpected tenderness to the mix.

Guitarist Alex Yost became an instant fan of Lancaster, PA-based memory stitches after discovering their music, sparking an equally instant collaboration—the Julies reimagined one of the duo’s tracks, and in turn, invited Olivia to guest on “Teenage Sadness.” The result marks the first time The Julies have ever featured a female voice on one of their songs.

And they’re delighted by the alchemy.

Both nostalgic and new, “Teenage Sadness” is The Julies at their most evocative—channeling the ghosts of youth, the glow of memory, and the enduring thrill of a favorite song.