Junior VP Find Their Own Brand of Nostalgia on “American Optimism”

Glasgow trio Junior VP are tapping into something deeply familiar with their new single, “American Optimism.” Drawing from the early-2000s alternative rock and emo playbook, the track is packed with anthemic guitar riffs and the kind of earnest songwriting that feels right at home on a coming-of-age movie soundtrack.

There's a healthy dose of dad rock in the mix, too. The guitars have a certain scrappiness to them, giving the track a lived-in quality without sacrificing its melodic appeal. It's the kind of sound that feels familiar for all the right reasons, bringing back a little of that early-2000s guitar-band charm without feeling like it's trying to recreate it.

Despite its title, the song isn't exactly an exercise in blind positivity. Instead, it gets into the exhaustion of facing one setback after another, and the strange relief that can come with deciding to throw in the towel. As lyricist Ross Macintosh explains, there's an element of blissful ignorance in giving up, even if only temporarily. That feeling comes through particularly well in the line, “We've worked so hard and now that we've stopped I'm struggling to see any difference.” There's a certain frustration in that realization, but also something a little funny about it.

Following July's “Red Cardigan,” which earned support from RTÉ, Total Rock, and KUTX, the new single offers another glimpse into the Glasgow trio's developing sound. It also serves as a preview of their forthcoming debut album, Do You Feel The Same?, expected in 2027. If this release is anything to go by, Junior VP are a band worth keeping an ear on.

Review by Abby Jover