The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest

Teenage Joans signed to Domestic La La Records in early 2022,{{cite web |author=Doria, Matt |date=29 April 2022 |title=Teenage Joans usher in a punchy new era with "Terrible", Domestic La La signing |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/teenage-joans-usher-in-a-punchy-new-era-with-terrible-domestic-la-la-signing-3215002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429003857/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/teenage-joans-usher-in-a-punchy-new-era-with-terrible-domestic-la-la-signing-3215002/ |archive-date=29 April 2022 |access-date=29 April 2022 |work=NME Australia}} and released the lead single "Superglue" on 2 May 2023.{{cite web |date=5 May 2023 |title=Teenage Joans Release New Track 'Superglue' |url=https://heavymag.com.au/teenage-joans-release-new-track-superglue/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |website=Heavy Mag}} On 10 August, the band announced the title and track listing of their debut studio album, with the scheduled release date of 13 October. The cover artwork was designed by Melbourne graphic designer Giulia McGauran.{{Cite web |date=10 August 2023 |title=Also we'd be crazy not to credit these legends that helped us create our dream alb cover... |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CvvdNN6SVHH/ |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=Teenage Joans |via=Instagram}} A second single was also issued the same day, titled "Candy Apple".{{Cite web |date=10 August 2023 |title=Teenage Joans Release 'Candy Apple' From Upcoming Debut Album |url=https://heavymag.com.au/teenage-joans-release-candy-apple-from-upcoming-debut-album/ |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=Heavy Magazine |language=en-US}} On 22 September 2023, "5 Things I Can Taste" was released as the third single.{{cite web |date=22 September 2023 |title=Teenage Joans Unveil New Track '5 Things I Can Taste' |url=https://heavymag.com.au/teenage-joans-unveil-new-track-5-things-i-can-taste/ |access-date=22 September 2023 |website=Heavy Mag}}

In November 2023, the band embarked on a national tour supporting the album.

Produced by Jarred Nettle, The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest marks a sonic departure from their previous work, influenced by the sound of 5 Seconds of Summer and Camp Cope.{{Cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Conor |date=21 August 2023 |title=Teenage Joans Announce Australian Album Tour |url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/teenage-joans-australian-album-tour-tickets/ |access-date=22 August 2023 |website=Tone Deaf |language=en-AU}} Some tracks like "Ruby Doomsday" and "Moneymoneymoney" include string arrangements and trumpets for the first time by the band.{{Cite web |last=Blakers |first=Cahli |date=12 October 2023 |title=Teenage Joans Go Track-By-Track On 'The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest' |url=https://themusic.com.au/features/teenage-joans-go-track-by-track-on-the-rot-that-grows-inside-my-chest/zu5swMPCxcQ/12-10-23 |access-date=13 October 2023 |website=The Music |language=en}}

Some songs were in the works for years before their debut EP Taste of Me (2021) was released – "Honey (And Other Sweet Things)" and "Superglue" were both written in 2019. "Sweet Things Rot" was written by guitarist Cahli Blakers when she was 16, before she had even met her bandmate, drummer Tahlia Borg. Most newer album tracks were written at Borg's house.

In January 2024, the band released their debut short film, a visual accompaniment for The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest. It was directed by Jamie Al Kayyali and stars the duo playing fictionalised versions of themselves, soundtracked by album's tracks. They held premiere screenings in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=David James |date=19 January 2024 |title=Teenage Joans Announce Premiere Screenings For Debut Short Film |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/teenage-joans-announce-premiere-screenings-for-debut-short-film/ |access-date=14 April 2024 |website=Music Feeds}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest track listing

| all_writing = Cahli Blakers and Tahlia Borg.

| title1 = Hospital Bed

| length1 = 2:01

| title2 = Honey (And Other Sweet Things)

| length2 = 3:23

| title3 = Superglue

| length3 = 3:24

| title4 = Yoke

| length4 = 2:34

| title5 = Candy Apple

| length5 = 3:46

| title6 = You're Not the President

| length6 = 2:45

| title7 = Sweet Things Rot

| length7 = 1:58

| title8 = Ruby Doomsday

| length8 = 3:34

| title9 = My Dentist Hates Me!!!

| length9 = 3:01

| title10 = Moneymoneymoney

| length10 = 3:24

| title11 = Tennis Skirt

| length11 = 3:04

| title12 = 5 Things I Can Taste

| length12 = 3:56

| title13 = Kaleidoscopes

| length13 = 3:24

| total_length = 40:14

}}

Musicians

• Cahli Blakers – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, writing
• Tahlia Borg – vocals, drums, writing
• Emma Luker – strings
• Lewis Tito – trumpet

Technical and promotional

• Jarred Nettle – producer, mixing
• Cahli Blakers – producer (track 7)
• Samuel K Sproull – mastering
• Giulia Giannini McGauran – cover art

{{reflist}}

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Category:2023 debut albums

Category:Teenage Joans albums

Category:Pop punk albums by Australian artists