(T-T)b is a chiptune and indie rock band from Boston. ‘Beautiful Extension Cord’ is their latest album, released on 4 April 2025, on Disposable America. There is quite a lot for me to unpack here. Firstly, I didn’t know how to say the band’s name out loud, but bless a friend who is less emoji illiterate than myself and explained to me that it’s crying eyes and a thumbs up.
Secondly, I did know about chiptune sounds, having grown up in the 90s and played a lot of arcade games, but also because, as a producer, I had to find synths that produce these sounds for a brief for a retro-sounding ad.
I had no idea chiptune/indie rock was a thing, and after listening to this album, I am wiser. It is probably my favourite part of this band’s style! Don’t get me wrong, this is very well-put-together indie rock, with some punkier moments and many 90s and early 00s influences. In a way, I am lucky because even though I don’t know much about the music that came out between 2010 and today, trends, sounds and vibes keep circling back, and all the bands from the 90s that I grew up listening to are relevant again.
To be fair and precise, (T-T)b sound like something that could have been made in the 90s, but they are not copying anyone. Plus, I can hear some Beatles and even The Who references here, especially in a song like ‘Sophie’.
Another chaotic review, I know. My thoughts are all over the place as I am listening to this, just because I find it so damn interesting. A really lovely and energetic blend of rock and chiptune melodies/parts. It’s funny that if the chiptune parts were played by synths, this would sound like a prog rock from the 70s on several occasions throughout the album, and that says a lot about music, crossovers and genre-bending styles.
There is a little bit of grunge in the vocal style, a bit of humour, a bit of not taking themselves too seriously (which is great), and even an unexpected cello part in K-Signal.
I don’t know if there is a scene and a whole wave of this type of music, but it is new to me; it is a unique and interesting blend that adds to an existing indie rock sound.
Written by Spiros Maus
