The Pro-Teens
MF TEEN: Your Concurrence In The Above Is Assumed
College Of Knowledge Records [2025]
“A bold and soulful tribute that redefines MF DOOM’s legacy, one instrumental beat at a time.”
Album Overview: The Pro-Teens, a dynamic instrumental collective from Melbourne, have made a name for themselves by crafting unconventional instrumental soul music. Led by drummer and percussionist Hudson Whitlock—who also plays with Karate Boogaloo and Surprise Chef—the group pulls talent from a tight-knit network of musicians associated with the College of Knowledge label. Over the years, The Pro-Teens have become known for their unique sound, blending influences from hip-hop, soul, and cinematic scoring into a rich, collaborative identity. Their latest release, MF TEEN: Your Concurrence In The Above Is Assumed, is a bold reimagining of MF DOOM’s storied catalog. Across 14 tracks, The Pro-Teens pay homage to DOOM by reshaping classics like “Doomsday” and “Curls” while shining a spotlight on deeper cuts such as “The Gas Face.” The album strikes a delicate balance between honoring the original works and creating fresh, layered arrangements. Even if you’re unfamiliar with DOOM’s music, MF TEEN is captivating enough to inspire you to explore the originals, as The Pro-Teens elevate each track into a timeless piece.
Musical Style: The album showcases an experimental blend of soul and funk, incorporating hip-hop beats with cinematic and atmospheric textures. The Pro-Teens combine intricate rhythms, fluid melodies, and offbeat arrangements, seamlessly merging live instrumentation with raw, head-nodding energy. The record thrives on contrasts, balancing gritty funk breaks with lush harmonic layers, perfectly capturing the spirit of MF DOOM’s eclectic swagger.
Evolution of Sound: Building on the foundations of their earlier work, The Pro-Teens showcase clear growth in their ability to reinterpret iconic tracks with a deeply original approach. Their previous releases laid the groundwork for this ambitious project, as they refined their craft in creating instrumental music that embodies the essence of its source material. With MF TEEN, The Pro-Teens deliver their most cohesive and daring effort to date, presenting it with ease and confidence.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of groups like El Michels Affair, The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, Orgone, Karate Boogaloo, and Surprise Chef will feel right at home with The Pro-Teens’ innovative instrumentals. Their layered arrangements also draw comparisons to Madlib’s production style and the cinematic soundscapes of David Axelrod, blending the improvisational soul vibe with the precision of hip-hop beat-making.
Pivotal Tracks: “Kon Queso” stands out with its sharp interplay between guitars, distorted basslines, and commanding drum patterns, offering a fresh take on a MM..FOOD classic. “Peachfuzz,” a nod to DOOM’s early days as Zev Love X with KMD, and “One Beer,” both previously released together as a 7″ single, find new life in the album’s cohesive context. Meanwhile, the group’s reimagining of “Doomsday” masterfully combines melancholy with energy, capturing the emotional depth of MF DOOM’s original while presenting it in a new, vibrant light.
Lyrical Strength: Although entirely instrumental, MF TEEN conveys the wit and complexity of MF DOOM’s lyrics through its dynamic arrangements. Each track tells a story, with layered compositions and rhythmic shifts that mirror the spirit of DOOM’s wordplay and enigmatic persona. The Pro-Teens succeed in crafting music that communicates emotionally without needing words.
Final Groove: MF TEEN: Your Concurrence In The Above Is Assumed is both a celebration of MF DOOM’s genius and a testament to The Pro-Teens’ creativity. The album respectfully reimagines DOOM’s work while standing tall as an innovative, standalone project. With its intricate arrangements and bold reinterpretations, MF TEEN invites both longtime DOOM fans and newcomers to dive into the late rapper’s vast catalog. As The Pro-Teens continue to push the boundaries of instrumental music, it’s exciting to imagine where their fearless creativity will take them next.
THE PRO-TEENS LINKS
Bandcamp | College Of Knowledge Records
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