Bright, jittery synth-pop that hides deep existential longing under layers of neon melodies. Perfect for late-night introspection and bedroom dancing.
The Scary Jokes sounds like a neon-lit arcade game that has suddenly gained a soul and started singing about its heartbreak. It is music that occupies the strange, shimmering space between a sugar rush and a panic attack, blending the DIY intimacy of bedroom pop with the sharp, rhythmic precision of vintage synth-pop. The melodies are often deceptively bright and infectious, masking lyrics that dive deep into the complexities of modern romance, identity, and mental health.
What makes Liz Lehman's project truly distinctive is the specific marriage of 'twee' aesthetics with a sophisticated, almost baroque sense of electronic arrangement. There is a restless energy in the percussion and a saturated warmth in the synthesizers that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. The vocals are often layered into airy, ethereal harmonies that float above driving basslines, creating a sound that feels simultaneously fragile and danceable.
Start with the album 'Burn Pygmalion!!! A Better Guide to Romance' to experience their most cohesive narrative work. It showcases the project's ability to turn high-concept storytelling into relatable, hook-filled pop songs that reward repeated, close listening.
The Scary Jokes is the musical project of American singer-songwriter Liz Lehman, conceived by Lehman in 2014 in New Jersey. Their music has been characterized as bedroom pop and synthpop. Their albums include April Fools (2016), Burn Pygmalion!!! A Better Guide to Romance (2019), and Retinal Bloom (2023).
Shares synth-pop, indie pop, art pop (subgenres); playful, wistful, bittersweet (moods)
Shares synth-pop, indie pop, art pop (subgenres); digital clarity, bedroom production, layered dense (production style)
Shares synth-pop, indie pop, art pop (subgenres); lo fi, digital clarity, bedroom production (production style)
Shares synth-pop, indie pop, art pop (subgenres); digital clarity, bedroom production, layered dense (production style)
Shares lo fi, digital clarity, bedroom production (production style); indie pop, art pop (subgenres)

Shares synth-pop, indie pop, art pop (subgenres); lo fi, bedroom production, layered dense (production style)
Shares synth-pop, indie pop, art pop (subgenres); keys/synth, drum machine, electric guitar (instrumentation)
Shares synth-pop, indie pop (subgenres); bittersweet, playful, wistful (moods)
Shares synth-pop, indie pop (subgenres); breathy, androgynous, gentle (vocal style)
Shares bedroom production, art pop, synth-pop, indie pop (signature)
Shares bedroom production, androgynous, art pop, indie pop (signature)
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