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Citrus Jr - "Sign My Cast"
Citrus Jr - "Sign My Cast"
8 tracks, 36 minutes 54 seconds
an album music review by griffin meehan 10/9/26
Lead Editor of Mouse Magazine (the site you're on right now)
Oceanside-based, self-described far-west-emo band Citrus Jr is getting the full treatment right now.
Oceanside-based, self-described far-west-emo band Citrus Jr is getting the full treatment right now.
Their new record “Sign My Cast” went tastefully viral in the way that only tragically online scene constituents like you and I can understand. That is to say, if you use instagram, they seem to be doing very well lately.
Their new record “Sign My Cast” went tastefully viral in the way that only tragically online scene constituents like you and I can understand. That is to say, if you use instagram, they seem to be doing very well lately.
And they deserve it! They’ve been doing this for a long time. Playing shows that is.
And they deserve it! They’ve been doing this for a long time. Playing shows that is.
Sign My Cast is a great record, I think so at least.
Sign My Cast is a great record, I think so at least.
Kayden, Levi, Joey, and Barak (from left to right)
But getting your album cover placed in meme carousels and mentioned in microcelebrity shout outs is just the beginning for a starbound music act in our modern age; and if writing great music and playing relentlessly is the best way to graduate from a cherished San Diego-County band to a 5th/6th/#? wave emo staple, then they’re doing that too.
But getting your album cover placed in meme carousels and mentioned in microcelebrity shout outs is just the beginning for a starbound music act in our modern age; and if writing great music and playing relentlessly is the best way to graduate from a cherished San Diego-County band to a 5th/6th/#? wave emo staple, then they’re doing that too.
On "Sign My Cast", Citrus Jr is earnest, refreshing and feels to me distinctly west-coast inspired. There’s really something beautiful happening along the Pacific coast these days, some kind of arcane emo banger leyline. Safe to say that the four piece from Oceanside is channeling that energy.
On "Sign My Cast", Citrus Jr is earnest, refreshing and feels to me distinctly west-coast inspired. There’s really something beautiful happening along the Pacific coast these days, some kind of arcane emo banger leyline. Safe to say that the four piece from Oceanside is channeling that energy.
The opening track “Sisyphus” has always stood out to me ever since I heard it for the first time. And before I decided to write this article. That and “Alone” which may have slowly become my favorite track on the record in this past few weeks. I’ve been playing the cd a lot in my car.*
The opening track “Sisyphus” has always stood out to me ever since I heard it for the first time. And before I decided to write this article. That and “Alone” which may have slowly become my favorite track on the record in this past few weeks. I’ve been playing the cd a lot in my car.*
*That, Forward, and Train Breaks Down S/T.
*That, Forward, and Train Breaks Down S/T.
Listening to this album reminds me of all my favorite nostalgic elements of the iconic fifth-wave weed emo tiktok era molded within the rapidly growing counter-cultural wave of sincerity that calls to our young songwriters from sea to shining sea.
Listening to this album reminds me of all my favorite nostalgic elements of the iconic fifth-wave weed emo tiktok era molded within the rapidly growing counter-cultural wave of sincerity that calls to our young songwriters from sea to shining sea.
Everyone is sick of everyone else not caring! Let’s do something about it!
Everyone is sick of everyone else not caring! Let’s do something about it!
So guess what nerd, the great wheel of culture has turned in our post-covid socal scene.
So guess what nerd, the great wheel of culture has turned in our post-covid socal scene.
It’s time. Now it’s cool to gaf. Not gaf’ing is not cool. We fuck with neighborliness now. It’s hardcore.
It’s time. Now it’s cool to gaf. Not gaf’ing is not cool. We fuck with neighborliness now. It’s hardcore.
And for all the transplants who’ve moved into my beloved San Fernando Valley from the Chicago Suburbs, I’ll save you some time in the crucible of self-discovery. The ancient answer to the City of Angel’s spinning hamster wheel of cool or cringe is to start a band with your friends and fuuuckin be yourself.
And for all the transplants who’ve moved into my beloved San Fernando Valley from the Chicago Suburbs, I’ll save you some time in the crucible of self-discovery. The ancient answer to the City of Angel’s spinning hamster wheel of cool or cringe is to start a band with your friends and fuuuckin be yourself.
Anyway, Citrus Jr.
Anyway, Citrus Jr.
The band I was writing about.
The band I was writing about.
We were lucky enough to have The Citrus on one of our bills-past at Fullerton's Programme on July 5th, 2026 (and before that at our second shareholder meeting this past spring), and the energy was incredible (with support from Bugstomp, Me+You, and Whatyouoncewere).
We were lucky enough to have The Citrus on one of our bills-past at Fullerton's Programme on July 5th, 2026 (and before that at our second shareholder meeting this past spring), and the energy was incredible (with support from Bugstomp, Me+You, and Whatyouoncewere).
Even better when the guys came back the following Sunday 7/12/26 for what could be argued was an even better bill with The Ritornello Form, Fat Lady Sang, and Cali Weed. Wish I could have been there.
Even better when the guys came back the following Sunday 7/12/26 for what could be argued was an even better bill with The Ritornello Form, Fat Lady Sang, and Cali Weed. Wish I could have been there.
still from a video I took that day 7/5/26
Oh and also this album was distributed under Self Versed Records (SoCal legends Vs Self’s label, who also put out releases by Punxsutawney and Train Breaks fricking Down). Barak explained to me a while ago about how that all ended up going down but I honestly don’t remember the specifics anymore.
Oh and also this album was distributed under Self Versed Records (SoCal legends Vs Self’s label, who also put out releases by Punxsutawney and Train Breaks fricking Down). Barak explained to me a while ago about how that all ended up going down but I honestly don’t remember the specifics anymore.
Anyway, congrats guys.
Anyway, congrats guys.
Everyone else, always make sure to shoot your shots to your favorite DIY labels.
Everyone else, always make sure to shoot your shots to your favorite DIY labels.
And chat up your favorite bands after the show. You never know what could happen!
And chat up your favorite bands after the show. You never know what could happen!
That's it. You should stream this record or go out to catch Citrus Jr on some seriously kickass bills this next few months. Mostly Socal plus an NYC show. (as of now!)
That's it. You should stream this record or go out to catch Citrus Jr on some seriously kickass bills this next few months. Mostly Socal plus an NYC show. (as of now!)
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