DURRY, an indie-rock band from Minnesota, is back in action with their genre-blending sophomore album, This Movie Sucks. For those of you that aren’t familiar with their origin story (or if you are, feel free to fast forward through these opening credits), the band consists of the sibling duo, Austin and Taryn Durry. As the world shut down due to the global pandemic, Austin and his wife moved back home to quarantine with his family and figure out what was next. During a time of uncertainty, and almost out of necessity to make it through a difficult time, the siblings took to the basement of their childhood home and started making music. Their lightning in a bottle moment came when they posted a demo of what would become their breakout song “Who’s Laughing Now” on TikTok. The demo was a hit and became an overnight sensation. Now, after the whirlwind of their debut album Suburban Legends, a tour, and cultivating a cult fanbase, the duo is gearing up to do it all over again —- this time, the losers get a sequel.
DURRY’s sophomore album runs just over 36 minutes and features 12 sonically diverse tracks. It opens with “Bully,” which, upon hearing it for the first time, felt like a treat they had been keeping in their back pocket. “Bully” is an instant adrenaline shot that gets you fired up with its gritty guitar, a pounding kick drum, and an opening line that’s in your face and demands your attention, “Greetings people of the Internet / It’s your friend / From the real world.” Austin’s frantic, animated vocals plead with the audience to wake up to the toxic nature of the internet. Instead of looking inward and working on ourselves, we use the internet as our sounding board and forget that there are real humans on the other side of the screen. In a time where life is already hard enough and there’s so much negativity in the world, why do we choose to tear each other down instead of coming together? This sardonic anthem, filled with wry humour, is a standout on the album and instantly became one of my favorites.
The urgency continues into “Monopoly Money,” a cynical track that puts our rising socio economic issues under a microscope — screaming at us about wealth inequality, income inequality, and corruption. It serves to remind us that we all enter and leave this world the same way, yet much of our lived experience relies on a failing system. The raw, exasperated vocals, driving drum beat, and screaming guitar emphasize the frustration and reinforce the message of this track. Switching things up sonically, we reach the title track and first single from the album, “This Movie Sucks,” which I wrote a review for upon release. “This Movie Sucks,” a catchy, self aware anthem, leans fully into its cinematic theme. From the title and industry lingo to its third-person perspective, mirroring how we watch a movie. It opens with dreamy, nostalgic synths reminiscent of the opening credits of movies from our childhood, setting the stage for Austin’s gritty, weary vocals that underscore the song’s jaded message. The lyrics tap into both personal and collective fatigue, carrying a double meaning — grappling with feelings of failure, falling behind, and the endless pursuit of “making it.” These emotions speak not only to individual experiences, but also to a broader sense of societal uncertainty, especially in today’s unstable socioeconomic climate.
“Porcupine” — a youthful, energetic tune filled with familiar rhyming catch-phrases and valedictions –– reminds us that we could all be a little more carefree, look at the world outside ourselves and not to take life too seriously. “More Dumb” was the third and final single released for the album. The music plays a big role in creating the atmosphere of the track and balancing out the sentiment “If ignorance is bliss / I wish I could get / A little more dumb.” We start with a bright, simple melody, as Austin contemplates how small and insignificant we are, but as we reach the chorus, it explodes into a more frantic, intricate arrangement, mimicking panic and anxiety. You can hear the frenzy in the heightened, layered vocals as Austin’s thoughts shift towards the harsh realities of how the world works and feeling paralyzed by the sense that there’s nothing we can do to change it. “More Dumb” is more relevant now than ever, with the current state of the world, and how difficult it is to find a balance between staying informed and keeping your sanity intact. Adding in some dark humour, it also points out the absurdity of our social construct. And with all that rattling around in your head, it’s hard not to wonder: what’s the point of it all?
Drumsticks count us in on “Start a Band,” an infectious, fast-paced punk rock song driven by distorted guitar riffs and pounding drums. The energy only builds with Austin’s raw, aggressive delivery and layering of the background vocals and accompanying chants. It’s a fun, lighthearted song sharing the experience of starting a band with your friends — even if you have no idea what you’re doing, you’re in it together. With “Wannabe,” you’ll find yourself swaying along to a twinkly, vulnerable song about finding inner peace, self acceptance, and being content with where you are in life. “Polaroid,” an introspective, melancholy track that examines our desire for a fresh start, in the New Year, and set resolutions. At the same time, it contemplates our tendencies to romanticize the past, reframing moments and memories as better than they really were. The bright, dreamy guitar creates a nostalgic atmosphere, adding to the reflective nature of the song. Our intentions lose meaning when we gloss over the reasons we set them in the first place, leaving us stuck in the same patterns — making the same choices, the same mistakes.
“idk i just work here,” the second single from the album, is “the minimum wage anthem,” Austin has shared. “It’s super fun, fast-paced, and quirky. All based around the classic scapegoat phrase, ‘I don’t know I just work here.’” It’s instantly relatable to anyone who’s worked a low-wage, dead-end job in fast food, retail, or customer service. It captures the frustration of being underpaid, overworked, and at the bottom of the corporate ladder. It’s packed with familiar workplace idioms, but made punchier and more fun in this context. It serves as a sharp commentary on how normalized it’s become to sacrifice our self worth and well-being for a system that couldn’t care less about us.
“Good Grief” has an uplifting, soaring sound — rich with texture — and begins to explore the universal experience of loss, reminding us that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. It urges us to slow down, enjoy the moment, and be present while we can. In the end, all we want is to live a life worth living and to leave behind something to remember us by. When we get to “The Long Goodbye,” an acoustic, folksy ballad, we’re embraced with bright, plucky sounds of fingerpicking, as Austin’s raw voice is met with Taryn’s seamless harmonization, creating a warm, intimate vibe and highlighting each other beautifully. The song has a poignancy to it — reflecting on the truth that we all experience loss and we’re all on our way out. We come into this world the same way we leave it, and all that’s in between are the moments we share and the memories we make.
The credits roll with “Slug Bug,” opening with the bright, playful sound of a harmonica and acoustic guitar that serves as a seamless transition from the previous song into a folk-indie rock fusion. The closing track reflects on the trap of nostalgia — how romanticizing the past can prevent us from fully living in the present, only to look back on this time the same way. It’s a poignant reminder to stay present before this becomes just another memory. The song also offers grace to past generations, recognizing they did their best. We’re all navigating life for the first time and now it’s up to us to build a better future. “Slug Bug” feels like it’s extending a hand in an attempt to bridge the generational gap and call a truce.
The band released three singles with accompanying music videos for This Movie Sucks — the title track “This Movie Sucks,” “idk i just work here,” and “More Dumb.” The duo have stuck with a DIY approach for most of it — from starring in, to directing and editing, to designing and creating props. If you haven’t been following along, they have been giving us a peek behind the curtains, sharing behind-the-scenes footage of their creations and talking about the tracks as they’ve been releasing.
DURRY has been masterfully creating a cohesive universe of their own, from their aesthetic to their dedication to DIY, experimentation, and the themes they tackle. While Suburban Legends explored shared childhood experiences, relatable struggles, and capitalism, their sophomore album digs even deeper. This Movie Sucks feels like a seamless progression from their debut album, still navigating sudden success and the uncertainty of what’s next. While it revisits familiar themes, there’s a sense of maturity, as the duo pushes boundaries and invites the audience to join them on a more introspective journey. True to DURRY’s style, the album balances heavy topics with sharp, sardonic, and often self-deprecating humour, making them easier to absorb. It dives deeper into societal, economic, and human issues while remaining deeply self-aware, reflective, and contemplative. In my opinion, this is the magic of DURRY — they’re constantly experimenting and honing their sound, yet their lyricism remains relatable and the heart of their music. Listening to DURRY feels like navigating through these harsh truths and heavy topics with the safety of an old friend. It’s a heavy conversation but there will be a warm hug at the end.
As someone who is also from Minnesota and grew up going to shows at The Garage, an all-ages venue in Burnsville (where the duo are from), watching DURRY soar fills my heart and makes me proud of my home state, its music scene, and the diverse community it continues to cultivate.
I highly recommend catching DURRY on their upcoming fall tour, because I know they’re going to rip (maybe I’ll even see you at a show or two)! In the meantime, head over to Spotify for your personal screening of This Movie Sucks — out now everywhere!
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