EP Review:“Preacher” by Telescreens
by Liam M. Hennessey
Telescreens started 2026 off with a bang via the release of their brand-new single, “Preacher,” along with two accompanying tracks “Red Days” and “So What.” Their last release since “Nothing” dropped with “Gimme All You Got” and “Alcoholism” in late October last year, one can tell via the two artworks for either release that these tracks are clearly meant to be in promotion of an upcoming album. Given they have either released an LP or EP each year since 2023, this doesn’t strike me as a surprise personally. I for one am glad they have maintained an aggressive workload that hasn’t seemed to compromise on quality or quantity. “Preacher” as such rings in the new year not with new trends then, but a continued consistency they’ve established with their output over the past years.
“Preacher” is fantastically produced, sounding raw with a sneering cynicism, yet crisp and well put together at the same time, as every good rock record should. It begins and is driven by an underlying sludging bass riff accompanied by lo fi synths, setting up an immediately dramatic entrance for the guitarist. The vocals are mostly clean (but not squeaky clean) with heavy use of double tracking. There’s some definite grit to the vocals that specifically gets highlighted in the simplistic and repetitive, yet endlessly catchy chorus. The real shining moment of this track (along with the other two tracks included) is its dizzyingly blaring guitar solo, with a truly gnarly tone that dances with dissonance.
Up next is “Red Days.” Telescreens continues to play with a garage rock influence that becomes increasingly more apparent as we get further into this single and its satellite tracks. They also continue to play more with dynamics on this track, along with tension and release. The song as a whole has a nostalgic sensibility to it, and while it sounds raw, especially with a guitar tone that sounds like what walking on an asleep leg feels like in sound form, I could very easily see it in an Apple or car commercial. It walks the fine line between authentic edge and polished touch seamlessly.
My favorite track of the bunch, “So What” is the most emotionally charged. On this track, that aforementioned influence from early 2000’s garage rock revival and post punk revival takes its ultimate leap forward, with a soft-loud-soft dynamic that could fit perfectly within the song writing structures of The Pixies or The Racounters. The synths here are more so backing instruments than driving elements of the song but add a lot to the shape of how the song feels. They add to the burnt-out rage put on full display by vocals that could be best described as the pain and desperation one meets at the end of exacerbation, contrasting the guitars moody and heavy disposition, with a tone that feels as burnt out as the singer, if not as rageful. The vocals here scream through gritted snarling teeth, with a clear influence from the likes of Lou Reed in his tone and delivery.
All in all, “Preacher” is a fantastic way for Telescreens to put themselves on the music scene map in 2026. The music feels like 2003 and timeless at the same time, like a good condition PS2. It feels as good of a find as one, as the music feels nostalgic, but original and dynamic, appreciating the influences it came from but not afraid to tow the line forwards for future generations of rock fans. The hooks feel catchy but not forced, authentic but not without pop sensibilities in mind when written. In a genre that is defined by its struggle between the interests of pop polish and raw rage, Telescreens manages to melancholically maneuver the tightrope between these two disparate values in song writing with ease.
I give this Single and its accompanying tracks a very solid 8 out of 10.
