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a dizzying kaleidoscope of neurosis as an entertainment journalist is left in solitude to tend to her movie star girlfriend's country home

Blending 8-bit aesthetics with soul-baring queer bedroom indie, New Jersey-based synthpop project The Scary Jokes is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Liz Lehman. Their signature style of gentle, upbeat psychedelia contrasted with pointed, introspective lyrics earned 2016’s April Fools considerable buzz in the internet underground.

On their 2019 followup, Burn Pygmalion!!! A Better Guide to Romance, Lehman weaves a concept album around insecurity and romantic alienation, telling the story of a journalist ruminating on her relationship as she housesits for her movie-star girlfriend. The album expanded the group’s sound, complimenting Lehman’s electronic production with guitarwork by new band member Juniper Abernathy and a guest performance by Louie Zong. Featuring the song “Community Gardens,” Burn Pygmalion cemented The Scary Jokes as one of the most exciting new artists of the 2010s.

testimonials:

"nice... in a way"

"!!!!!!!!!!"

"the scary jokes are seriously the best new thing - [liz] is the hallucinogenic light prism [royalty] of the bedroom scene"

"good job"

"i love this, but is it satire...?"