By: Max Kelly
Opening with the lines, “3:15 running on dopamine, I got from the sitcom I watched on my
lunchbreak 1,000 times before”; Teddy Cosmo’s new track “Burnout Baby” is unapologetically
saying how we all feel.
Cosmo, who has a string of previous releases attached to a 2022 EP titled “Ouchie” and single
release named “Good To See You”, which encompassed three other tracks, was inspired to
create his new song because of an idea for a YouTube video, saying:
“Burnout baby was written originally for a premise of a YouTube video where I would write,
record, mix and master a song within 24 hours. The goal of the video is to showcase how
limitations can bring out creativity in interesting ways. The song itself feels like a reflection on
my recent move to the city, and how the constant hustle culture and grind of New York has
affected me. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else though!”
As the title suggests, the track cover’s themes of burnout and the subsequent overwhelming
feelings and confusion that come with it. Lines such as “Stuck in confusion just an illusion” and
“Maybe if I were rich I wouldn’t have to try” express this evidently.
The tagline of the song “I’m just a little burnout baby, I don’t think I’ll change” brings this point
home, furthering the feeling of being stuck that the other lyrics express. This is nicely rapped up
with the line “Maybe if I got sleep then I’d feel better” which is sung throughout the track and
makes an appearance as one of the final lines. This particular line is especially important in
regard to tying in the track together, as sleeping often feels like the only way to resolve these
overwhelming feelings.
When asked about how Burnout Baby differs from his previous work and showcases his growth
as an artist, Cosmo shared:
“This track is definitely more electric than anything that was on my last EP. It also has a nice
analog sort of early 2000s feel to it. I think this song is definitely more interesting than anything
I’ve put out before, and hopefully, folks that listen to it, hear the energy that I’ve put into trying
to develop my sound. I think with this project I’m definitely trying to go more towards an indie
rock feel.”
When it comes to Teddy’s songwriting process, he says that it really comes down to the
individual song. “For some songs I’m able to finish everything in an afternoon, which was the
case for “Burnout Baby”, but a lot of the time, I’ll sit on songs for a while. Usually, I’ll have a
verse and a chorus, and all of the chords figured out in that first writing session, but then the
lyrics often take a lot of time and rewrites until I’m happy with the result.
You can stream Teddy Cosmo’s new track “Burnout Baby” wherever you get your music and on
this week’s edition of the Mezz Music Monday!