Tranquilize - EP (2021)
What a way to introduce yourself. Telenova didn’t just release an EP, they arrived with a fully formed sound and vision. Tranquilize establishes their aesthetic immediately, moody, sleek, and immersive from the opening seconds of the title track.
Tranquilize is all atmosphere. The bass line drives the song with a steady pulse while the synths swirl overhead, setting a hypnotic tone that defines the EP. Lyrically, it leans into surrender and repetition, letting the idea of being “tranquilized” sink in rather than explaining it outright. The writing mirrors the music’s pull, drawing you under instead of pushing forward.
Lost Highway follows seamlessly and brings strong Cannons energy, which is always a plus. The melody is smooth and infectious, but the real depth comes from the layered production and the tension underneath it. The lyrics are darker and more direct here, using repetition and blunt confession to create a sense of unresolved guilt that lingers beneath the song’s polished surface.
Blue Valentine is a standout. The acoustic strumming paired with the restrained vocal delivery adds warmth and movement, showing another side of the band. The lyrics stay emotionally open but controlled, circling themes of illusion and disappointment without turning them into dramatic confession. It keeps the cinematic feel of the earlier tracks while feeling more organic, proving Telenova’s strength isn’t just mood or texture. The songwriting holds up.
Bones reinforces why it became the bands first single. The textured percussion gives the track a gritty, physical feel, and the chorus hits hard. Lyrically, it’s confrontational and self-aware, embracing chaos and intensity instead of apologizing for it. That confidence gives the song its bite and makes it one of the EP’s most defining moments.
The EP closes with Comedian, which fits perfectly into the world they’ve built. The lyrics are simple and vulnerable, framed as a series of offers rather than demands, making it the most intimate moment on the record. It doesn’t break the spell. It just leaves you sitting in it, ready to start the EP over again.
Tranquilize is an impressive debut that feels intentional and fully realized. It’s rare for a first release to sound this cohesive, but Telenova pulls it off effortlessly. This EP doesn’t just introduce a band, it sets expectations for what comes next.
