Modern Teeth - “Luxury Rental (Wherever I Like)”

Like many of us, the pandemic had a profound effect on the New Jersey band Hermano Stereo. After a whirlwind few years, the quartet decided to reinvent themselves, and additionally, adopted a new moniker. Today, they emerge on the other end with their first release under the name Modern Teeth, a danceable, electronic track called “Luxury Rental (Wherever I Like).”

“Luxury condos coming to your neighborhood soon!” is a phrase you’ve likely heard if you live in an American urban area. It’s a phenomenon that spans decades. Hell, the legendary Hoboken-based label Coyote Records repurposed the term as the title of a label sampler compilation back in 1985. Nearly 40 years later, the phrase still evokes feelings of dread because of these developments’ ability to displace cultures and replace them with blandness. The latter is at the heart of Modern Teeth’s critique.

Modern Teeth explores the monotony and insipid nature of luxury apartment living on “Luxury Rental (Wherever I Like).” The lyrics describe the standard common amenities including: “five grills that you can share with your friends,” and the ‘high-end’ features like “stainless steel refrigerator to hold all my smoothies..” These things are advertised as the kind of things that’ll spark joy, yet the protagonist in “Luxury Rental (Wherever I Like).” has to remind themselves to “smile.” The song features some illuminating, Depeche Mode-like sonics. Steered by a driving beat and a looping rhythm, “Luxury Rental (Wherever I Like)” is four and a half minutes of head-bobbing bliss.

Stream the track below!

“Luxury Rental (Wherever I Like)” appears on the new Dead Bars mixtape, You Don’t Have To Be Cool. The mixtape will be available to purchase from Dead Bars at the merch table tomorrow (Thurs. June 22nd) during their show at Pet Shop. Dead Bars will perform alongside CR and the Nones, Kief Shuvel, and Best Dressed Ghost. Keep up with Modern Teeth by following them on Instagram.