Album Review: Austin’s Paper Sister release dreamy and punchy Quiet Betrayals EP
The new record, Quiet Betrayals is the first EP release by the four-piece band from Austin, Paper Sister. Combining elements of shoegaze and post-punk, dream pop, and indie alt rock, the 6-track EP highlights selected singles over the past couple years, with some releases as recent as April of this year. The dreamy and punchy EP featured a release party presented by 101X Homegrown Live at The 13th Floor on May 29 with French Film, Feedr, and Variety to celebrate the group’s new recording.
The first track on the EP, “Destroyer,” dropped as a single in December 2025. It begins with a crackly groove with an atmospheric drone nestled among what sounds like a pedal effect reminiscent of an electric arc. Camille Jackson’s vocals come through with true post-punk tones, breathy and menacing; with a Kim Gordon drawl and a lyrical intensity of 90’s alternative rock groups, using angst like currency that builds and releases in that all too familiar fiery indie fashion. Like an old friend returning home after a long time away, the opening track closes with a snippet of raw petulant distortion hum, marking the group’s desire to keep the spirit of indie rock alive.
The next track, “Turn Into Me” shines through with signature fuzzy melody winding yet confident and marking one of the most anthemic songs of the EP. Originally released as a single in January 2026, this is one of three songs that made the cut and demonstrates the groups propensity to straddle the line between post-punk and indie rock.
“Teenage Malaise” which came out before “Destroyer” in November 2025 is composed of panning synth and plucky guitars which transport the listener to a more introspective pop and shoegaze territory. Jackson’s vocal performance offers an alternative and candied delivery compared to previous tracks.The tune comes off like a soft siren complete with perfectly placed ‘aah’ accents amid the moody cymbal claps and undulating guitar chords.
Keeping to the pace set by “Teenage Malaise,” “Run Home” offers us a slower tempo, but powerful theme that is both dreamy and unhurried despite the title. We hear a plea, “shouldn’t have to be this way,” punctuated with a solitary soulful reverb guitar, a highlight of this track, and marks its place as a stand-out of the EP.
While “Run Home” is an “older” song, released at the end of February 2025, the next track, “Dreamy” is newer, and one of the three singles of this year, released in March 2026. “Dreamy” glitters and glows, and Jackson’s vocals add a dimension of storytelling that hypnotizes us through the smooth twists and turns. We hear words like “rotten” and “cursed” but why should that matter? The spell is cast.
The closing track, “Marry Me” was posted as a demo back in 2024 on the band’s Bandcamp page, but was given a proper studio recording for this EP and is currently their latest single.
Catch Paper Sister next at The 13th Floor with The Deltas and Calloway and the Prickly Pears on August 16. Advance tickets are available via the venue website.
Featured photo of Paper Sister courtesy of the band
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