Cruel Youth

Lore & Background

Cruel Youth was formed after Teddy Sinclair and Willy Moon relocated to the United States in 2015, following their removal from the New Zealand version of The X Factor. They began experimenting with music that year, and their first release was 'Mr. Watson', uploaded to SoundCloud in February 2016. The first official single, 'Diamond Days', produced by Paro, was released on April 15, 2016. Paro also co-wrote 'I Don't Love You' with Sinclair and Moon, a track from the band's debut EP +30mg. 'Mr. Watson' was released as a single on May 20, 2016, with a video following in June. Sinclair announced the EP later that year, initially calling it Cowboys and Angels before changing the name to +30mg. The EP was released on September 16, 2016, preceded by the single 'Hatefuck' on September 7. Fashion designer Tom Ford used 'Diamond Days' in a 2016 runway show. The music video for 'Hatefuck' premiered on September 28, 2016. In October 2016, Cruel Youth announced they would join Kiiara for a US tour from Los Angeles to New York City, which took place in November 2016.

Reader's Guide

Cruel Youth represents a creative pivot for Teddy Sinclair, who had previously released solo work as Natalia Kills. Formed with her husband Willy Moon after a public controversy on The X Factor New Zealand, the band allowed the couple to continue making music independently. Their debut EP +30mg, though initially titled Cowboys and Angels, established their sound with tracks like 'Diamond Days', which gained visibility through Tom Ford's runway show. The band's subsequent releases include non-album singles in 2018, a soundtrack contribution in 2022, and a cover in 2023. In 2025, they contributed three songs to the soundtrack of Godfather of Harlem Season 4. That same day, Sinclair revealed she had undergone brain surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. Cruel Youth's career illustrates resilience and adaptability within the music industry, moving from major-label solo work to independent band projects and soundtrack work.

Did You Know?

• The band's debut EP was originally announced as Cowboys and Angels before being changed to +30mg.
• Fashion designer Tom Ford used the song 'Diamond Days' in a 2016 runway show.

Formation & Origins

Before Cruel Youth existed, Teddy Sinclair had already built a musical identity under the moniker Natalia Kills, recording two solo albums that established her voice as an independent artist. The band's genesis, however, traces back to a period of upheaval. In 2015, Sinclair and her husband Willy Moon were removed from the New Zealand edition of The X Factor. Rather than folding, the couple relocated to the United States, where they threw themselves into a period of hands-on creative experimentation. That collaborative process ultimately gave birth to Cruel Youth, a project that would blend Sinclair's songwriting instincts with Moon's production sensibility. Their very first track, "Mr. Watson," appeared on the band's SoundCloud page in February 2016, serving as a raw, unpolished introduction to a sound still finding its footing. What began as a post-competition reinvention quickly solidified into a deliberate artistic partnership, setting the stage for the rapid string of releases that would follow later that year.

The +30mg Era

The year 2016 proved to be a whirlwind for the newly minted duo. After "Mr. Watson" found its audience on SoundCloud, the band pushed forward with "Diamond Days," a single produced by Paro that dropped on April 15. Paro's involvement extended beyond production; he also helped Sinclair and Moon write "I Don't Love You," a track that would land on the debut EP. Momentum continued as "Mr. Watson" was formally released as a single on May 20, followed by a music video the next month. Sinclair used that video's premiere as a platform to tease an EP coming later in the year. By September, the band had released "Hatefuck" as a single on the 7th and confirmed the EP's date: September 16. In a twist, Sinclair had initially announced the project's title as Cowboys and Angels via Twitter, but the name was ultimately swapped for +30mg. The release coincided with a notable cultural moment—fashion designer Tom Ford had incorporated "Diamond Days" into a 2016 runway show. The EP's music video premiered on September 28, and the band immediately announced a US tour alongside Kiiara, running from Los Angeles to New York City.

Later Releases & Soundtrack Appearances

Beyond the +30mg era, Cruel Youth maintained a steady, if sporadic, output of standalone singles. In 2018, the band put out two non-album tracks, "Devil in Paradise" and "Portrait of a Female," which offered a glimpse into their evolving sound without the commitment of a full project. A four-year gap followed before "Mr. Badman" appeared in 2022, commissioned for the soundtrack of the film The Invitation. The next year brought a different flavor entirely: a 2023 cover of Bobby Hebb's "Sunny," released as a non-album single that showcased the band's willingness to reinterpret existing material. The most substantial recent output arrived on April 18, 2025, when three tracks were delivered for Season 4 of the television series Godfather of Harlem. The set included "Time To Say Goodbye," "Crown Don't Make You King" featuring rapper Conway The Machine, and "Victorious" with Scarlip. These soundtrack contributions demonstrate the band's continued relevance in scoring and their comfort working alongside other artists in collaborative settings.

Personal Life & Health

Behind the band's public output, Teddy Sinclair's personal life has occasionally intersected with her career narrative. She fronts Cruel Youth alongside her husband, Willy Moon, making the project as much a marriage partnership as a musical one. Their story began in the aftermath of a high-profile television elimination in New Zealand, and the couple has since built their creative life in the United States. In April 2025, Sinclair shared a deeply personal update on social media, revealing that she had recently undergone brain surgery to treat trigeminal neuralgia, a condition characterized by severe facial pain. The disclosure came on the very same day the band's three Godfather of Harlem soundtrack tracks were released, a juxtaposition that highlighted both her resilience and the physical toll her condition had taken. For fans who had followed her from the Natalia Kills era through the X Factor years and into Cruel Youth, the announcement added a layer of vulnerability to an artist who had long defined herself through bold, independent creative choices.