“Clueless In Suburbia” is Yen’s ode to suburban wastelands and captures the bittersweet feelings of smalltown life.
Following on from the release of her debut single “Donnie Darko” and subsequent emo-anthem “Go Away,” “Clueless In Suburbia” shows off yet another side to the dynamic young singer, songwriter and producer.
The song’s poignant lyrics are heightened by glistening, emotive production. Yen artistically uses autotune over trap-inspired drum loops and stirring synths, each element swelling into a punchy chorus to create a true alt-pop gem.
“Clueless In Suburbia” arrives with a self-directed video that Yen worked on in collaboration with fellow Sydney-based creative Maybelle Thieu. Candid and captivating footage of Yen trailing haunts around Sydney offer another insight into her unique world.
Yen Strange shares this about her new single:
“‘Clueless in Suburbia’ started with some simple melancholy chords on my keyboard in my old one bedroom flat. It was back in 2020, I didn’t have much going on, I was bored and frustrated with my mediocre – abysmal life.
Looking back on my youth I realised I felt the same as I did when I was young, stuck in the middle of nowhere in a small town without anything to look forward to and no hope of getting out. But I kinda like these empty places where people only pass through. They’re ugly but they’re beautiful and the weeds in the concrete watched me grow up whether I like it or not.
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
Let me just google Genesis. Ok I think I get it. It started when I was younger and loved playing piano and singing. Then gradually I found what music I liked the most and started writing my own. At 16/17 I figured out how to produce music so I started recording pretty much every idea I had and now I finally get to release some! Yen Strange comes from my favourite magazine growing up: ‘Yen’ mag. It was sick. Strange is there cause my last name starts with an S and it’s just funny.
What should a song or piece of art communicate in your opinion?
Whatever, I don’t ever expect anything from a song, it’s just there to give you something groovy to listen to. Same with art, especially weird paintings, who cares what it’s meant to mean cause everyone’s gonna look at it and think something completely different.
Who were your top 3 artists last year?
Deb Never, Lil Peep and Yours Truly are probably who I enjoyed listening to the most but I listen to heaps of stuff.
What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired?
It’s not something that happens, feeling uninspired, I don’t register it as a thing. Just because I haven’t written down a description of this girls hair doesn’t mean the different colours were uninspiring blah blah. I always know that when I wanna write a song there’ll be something there waiting.
What are your 2022 projects and goals?
Project is a dirty word in my mind, it suggests an eventual end which is just sad. As far as goals though I’d like to buy a new car this year.
Favorite movie or TV show?
The IT crowd is a great show. I also like The Games which is a hilarious mockumentary about the crew that organised the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000. Movies is a hard one. I’m a bit of a budding DVD collector so it’s hard to choose favourites. Ghost World is a great movie, and (a more recent one) Babyteeth was miserable but so good.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about?
Clueless in Suburbia came about in the first lockdown. I was bored and annoyed which reminded me of my earlier youth. But I was also reflecting a lot on how I’ve grown to accept my attraction to gloomy places and have always liked being a bit of a loner 🙂
What is something you would want to change in the music and entertainment industry?
Not sure. From my experience girls don’t really get taken seriously enough and young girls are literally what keeps pop culture afloat so people should treat them with more decency.
Can you outline your creative process?
Eat yummy food, sit on the floor, think for a bit, play chords and sing stuff, Make song, stare at the ceiling.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
My sister, Mallrat, my housemates, people on Instagram etc. and even though it was discontinued 5 years ago, Yen Magazine still influences my fashion and stuff.
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
There hasn’t been any insane moments yet. Getting heaps of plays on songs is super crazy though.
What do you think an artist should sing about nowadays?
Whatever they want. If it’s dumb and mean people will probably ignore it but not everyone needs to make music that others listen to.
Do you have any regrets?
Not buying new shoes is something I regret every day but I’m on a tight budget.
What is some piece of advice you would give to yourself right now?
Buy those shoes with the strap on the ankle, they’ll look so good on you. Also wear them on your next date with that girl who WILL reply to your message she’s just thinking.
