focus teo’s debut record, the ingeniously titled Rock Paper Cyanide, dropped the summer before last, but that’s hardly gonna stop us from amping up the hype of this genre-crossing collection.
Track two, “Superstar Lighting Bug,” is an instant pop-punk hit, packed with the unstoppable energy of feral youth, the band picking up the raw threads akin to Blink 182 and Green Day, while weaving them with synth surprises. It’s a vivid sign of the emo rock resurgence, and we’re totally here for it.
Barring the snippet ballads, “Time Talk Intro” and “Let’s Nearly Conclude (Days Like This), focus teo’s ruthlessly catchy vibe barely lets up for a moment; the band’s partially expletive lyrics topping thrashing distortions, satisfyingly clean chords and a live sound that feels like stepping back in time, when music was wrapped in heart, frustration, and a deathless sense of excitement.
Didn’t think it could get any better? This record is a family effort — the father/son trio is comprised of Matthew Olson (on vocals, bass, guitar and keyboard), Jackson Olson (vocals, guitar and drums) and Marshall Olson (vocals, bass and self-admitted “madness”).
focus teo are gearing up to drop their latest album, “stitch,” due on January 2nd, 2026. Fans can head over to focus’s official Bandcamp page to pre-order the new record now!
Our final verdict on Rock Paper Cyanide?
Highly Recommended
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