Monica Moser Reflects On Life’s Journey In Sophomore Album, “27teen”

Texas-based singer-songwriter and versatile recording artist Monica Moser takes listeners on an emotional ride with her latest 10-track album, 27teen.

Since moving to Nashville in 2012, Moser has been turning heads with her unique blend of folk, singer-songwriter, alternative, and indie-pop styles. Her voice has drawn comparisons to artists like Sara Bareilles and Joni Mitchell, earning her recognition from various local radio stations and music collectives. Now based in Austin, she's been doing some reflecting.

With 27teen, Moser delivers a sophomore album as a musical autobiography. The 10-track record dives deep into themes of personal growth, longing, and resilience, offering listeners a window into her journey from her teenage years to the present day.

The album starts with "Overture," setting the tone for the introspective journey ahead with cassette playbacks and cuts, almost as if we're traveling through the entire album. In "Find You Yet," she serves up a warm pop anthem that offers a glimmer of hope for future love. Monica's emotion deepens in track three, "Headlines," showcasing her knack for crafting catchy melodies while exploring complex themes of love, loss, and miscommunication.

Moser's versatility shines through in alternative-pop anthems like "Shortcut," one of the grooviest songs we've heard to date. Everything from her attitude and vocals to the exceptional production makes this a must-add to your playlist. Fun fact: this track became a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Contest (2020) in 2019.

Midway through the album, "Bored Game" provides a playful yet poignant take on relationships that sees Monica wondering if the risk is worth the reward—another exceptionally produced track. The title track, "27teen," serves as the album's emotional core, reflecting on the passage of time with a mix of nostalgia and hope for the future. It's a deeply compelling song bound to resonate with anyone battling the toll time can take.

"Survive You" and its follow-up "I Want It Back (Survive You pt. II)" form a powerful duo, chronicling the ups and downs of relationships with raw honesty. It's not that Monica can't survive without this person; it's that she doesn't want to. In the follow-up, she expresses a need to regain that love—reflecting on what could have been.

As the album progresses, listeners are treated to more bouncy pop gems like "How Lost I'd Find Myself (Without You)," which showcase Moser's stronger side, which sees her enjoying the independence and pride a 27-year-old should.

The bonus track "WINGS" delivers a fitting conclusion, leaving listeners with a sense of growth as Monica sings about not wanting to hide from who she's made to be. It's an influential outro that perfectly encapsulates the nine tracks prior.

Treat yourself to Monica Moser's sophomore album, 27teen, an authentic musical journey now available on all major streaming platforms.

Welcome to Buzz, Monica! We're feeling all the emotions you've baked into 27teen. What inspired you to create such an autobiographical album?

Happy to be here! I turned 30 this year, and I feel - I don't know another way to describe it - different. I feel more settled in who I am than ever. So I'm glad this album encapsulates my entire life until this point (and the hopes and longings beyond it) because it feels significant. I didn't set out to create an autobiographical album, but it was cool to realize the songs I wanted on this project and the order in which I wanted them sequenced walk you through my whole life.

The title track, "27teen," feels like a pivotal moment on the album. Can you tell us more about what this song means to you?

This song is about feeling simultaneously young and mature/grown at the same time. I've loved hearing that even people in their 50s and 60s can relate to it because even though some of the references are specifically from the early '00s (Death Cab for Cutie's record Plans, North Face fleeces, iPad classics with seemingly endless gigabytes), a lot of people can relate to this feeling, just from a different era.

It's the beauty in the whole specificity-yields-universality aspect of songwriting. 27 is also a significant marker in my life: it's the age I turned when I moved from Nashville to Austin, the first time I felt like 30 was close, and the age I lost my childhood best friend. "27teen" is this state of nostalgia, angst, and heartbreak brimming up against growth and perspective.

How does 27teen differ from your previous album, your absence, a closeness? What sets these two projects apart?

Great question! I've been saying that your absence and closeness are a snapshot of what I was going through and wrestling with in my early twenties/post-college phase, whereas 27teen, as you mentioned, is more autobiographical and encompasses all stages of my life. I also think this project explores more genres and just has a little more fun :)

Which song from 27teen is your personal favorite, and why? What makes that song so special to you?

It's hard to choose since they're so different! But I'll go with "How Lost I'd Find Myself (without you)" because it feels like more of a stretch genre-wise for me, and it was a fun challenge vocally. I also like that it's the song that looks forward - it's about the people in my life, but it was written more about (hopefully) a future person I decide is worth partnering my life with.

What did you want listeners to experience when hearing 27teen? What did you want them to take away?

I want them to reflect on their own lives, and I want them to feel their feelings. To have the courage to go into the depths of their grief, loss, and heartache but then not stay there - carrying all of it with them and moving forward.

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