Words By: Bre Offenberger

Laura Kidd — better known by the stage name of Penfriend — has released “Seventeen,” the latest offering that will appear on her forthcoming debut album, Exotic Monsters, due out May 21 via My Big Sister Recordings. The track has plenty of twists and turns that will not only keep you hooked, but leave you begging for the next release to be dropped already.

The track opens with exquisite “oohs” swimming around a firm yet welcoming guitar line. As Penfriend comes to terms with the fact that she’s getting older, she remembers back to when she turned 17 and was told to stop dreaming so big. Thanks to that, she gave up on a lot of bucket list, told herself she wasn’t good enough and endured an unhealthy relationship. Forceful keys drive home the lasting effects of her permanent pain as she reflects on her ex’s unforgettable behavior that still pierces her heart.

A guitar solo ensues around the two-minute mark, when Penfriend also brings her affliction to a hum. In the last minute, the instrumentation turns on its head to what resembles carnival music, jubilant keys soaring through the welcoming skies. It’s a jarring, surprisingly uplifting ending to a disheartening track — but it hints at Penfriend’s mindset, one that is full of hope for the coming days.

Of the track, Penfriend shares: “Sometimes writing songs is like painstakingly sculpting sounds from thin air; other times they arrive in a whoosh, fighting to be heard. ‘Seventeen’ appeared on a summer Saturday evening, falling out of me in jagged swathes. Facing up to our ghosts isn’t a pleasant experience, but this song helped me over a major stumbling block from my past, bringing me a fresh perspective and a new freedom.”

“Seventeen” is the follow-up to “Black Car,” “Cancel Your Hopes” and the upcoming album’s title track. Exotic Monsters, while thought-provoking, will be the hug you’ve needed for the last year, a glint of reassurance and solace amidst a dark time in history. It takes inspiration from the likes of Sylvan Esso, Nine Inch Nails, Tears For Fears, Nevermind-era Nirvana and more. Aside from music, Penfriend also hosts the podcast Attention Engineer, which showcases conversations with artists about how they balance their work with their personal lives. Penfriend truly does it all, and she’ll do even more on May 21: change the world and the landscape of music forever.

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