CD of The Week

Blondshell - If You Asked For A Picture (Partisan)

We were introduced to the music of Sabrina Teitelbaum and her project Blondshell a few years back with her gripping self-titled debut record. Teitelbaum proved to be an engaging songwriter with a powerful voice, with personal tales of revenge fantasies and relationships. Now she’s back in 2025 with If You Asked For A Picture, another excellent collection of hard-hitting emotional tracks.

If You Asked… starts with the strummy "Thumbtack,” a portrait of a frustrating relationship with someone described as “a thumbtack in my side/A dog bite.” The single “T&A” is built around big, ringing guitar riffs and tells the story of a friendship that evolves into something more complicated.

Teitelbaum has cited Red Hot Chili Peppers and Queens of the Stone Age as touchstones for this record and as a woman claiming the sounds of these very masculine bands. “Arms” actually feels like Pearl Jam more than either of those peer bands, as she sings about a partner who she can’t help, declaring “I don’t wanna be your mom” and repeating that “you’re not gonna save him.” Speaking of moms, the crunchy "What's Fair” is a missive to her late mother, about the complexities of their relationship and the traumas it created.

The great “23’s A Baby” is a treatise on being in your 20’s and not having anything in life figured out, while babies are having babies. It features some great backing vocals from Teitelbaum, adding to the Jenny Lewis vibes here. Other highlights of If You Asked… include the grungy, atmospheric “Change,” the guitar rock of “Toy,” and the most optimistic song on the album, “He Wants Me,” a portrait of a happy, healthy relationship in the midst of all the angst and turmoil of the other songs.

If You Asked For A Picture is bigger and bolder than the self-titled Blondshell album, but still spends much of its time in a hazy, midtempo groove. Regardless, it showcases Teitelbaum’s strengths as an emotionally honest and powerful songwriter. Blondshell returns to Philadelphia with Daffo opening up at Union Transfer on June 21st.
Review by Joey O.