Showcasing a punchy rock spirit with compelling coming-of-age narration, Pupal Phase is the four-song debut EP from Lost Grrrl Found, a New York creative project rooted in musical theater and queer punk culture. Created by Penelope Gould, Holly Nance, and director Marina Carlstroem, the release distills the emotional core of their larger musical, following college freshmen Izzy and Morgan through the shifting dynamics of friendship, first crushes, and heartbreak. Its riot grrrl influences and DIY charm lend these personal growing pains an affirming voice.
The EP’s title track opens like a heart-on-sleeve depiction of both personal appreciation and new starts. “New school, new start,” the delivery lets out amidst expressive guitars. “Just what Morgan and I wanted.” The struggle to “shake off old habits” while exuding an “excited but daunted” demeanor in the face of change displays a riveting flow of emotions, where shedding one’s own skin and embracing a fish-out-of-water situation makes for a resonant EP kickoff. “Time To Grow Up” follows naturally, its “I could never come off as cool” adolescent depictions and urgings that “it’s time to grow up” excelling alongside twangy guitars. Spoken-word interactions between Izzy and Morgan establish this affirming friendship, especially as duet-ing harmonic layers delight amidst the title-bearing refrain.
“I’m a closet girl at a lesbian concert,” the lead stirs amidst heavier distorted guitars on “Spiraling Down,” where admissions of desire cross with moving out and moving on, or at least attempts to do so. “I have a crush on every girl, ’cause every girl’s insanely hot,” the performance unleashes, vowing to Izzy that the friendship doesn’t have to get messy. A dreamy “spiraling down” bridge captivates in the dreamier guitar tones and ongoing lyrical vulnerabilities.
Next up, “Lesbian Spinsters” struts the EP’s heaviest rock output, proclaiming a drive to live for oneself within a punk/riot grrrl ethos, rejecting societal conformities in favor of creativity and raw emotion. “Fuck her and her beautiful eyes, I can’t forget her body on mine,” the delivery launches with smitten, infatuated qualities. The feverish rock quality combines with a coming-of-age spiritedness, which per Nance reflects Izzy and Morgan “at their most heartbroken, with both of them having just experienced their first lesbian breakup.” As is confirmed: “This song is for anyone who has wanted to swear off love forever.” Pupal Phase is a rousing, personality-filled rock success of an EP from Lost Grrrl Found.
