"Photobooth" by Death Cab for Cutie from the album Forbidden Love (2000)

In the early aughts, young teens turning to emo culture for the first time were experiencing the genre’s pop-punk-inspired third-wave, with all of its East Coast aggression. Within that abrasive context, Death Cab for Cutie’s lo-fi keyboard riffs, tempered drums, and mid-tempo melodies were a fresh breath of Pacific Northwest air. “Photobooth” was one of their most convincing moments, appearing on 2000’s Forbidden Love EP, right around the same time they released The Photo Album. The lovesick lines about a summer fling gone wrong were easily relatable: “And as the summer’s ending/The cold air will rush your hard heart away.” And in the grand scheme of angry emo things, Death Cab’s subtle fuzz-pop bounce seemed understated and intelligent.

_Liz Pelly