New Jersey post-hardcore quintet Youth In Revolt are finally releasing their highly anticipated debut album the Broken on Friday February 17, 2017. The first record with the new line-up has already had some rave reviews from the likes of AltPress and Rock Sound and fans have been loving singles The Broken, Not Giving Up and Don’t Wait For Me. As a fan of the band for quite a few years, I take you through each track on the record.
Opening track Noise’s riff grabs you instantly. As the vocals kick in over the top, the melody is catchy and bassist/vocalist Kenny’s screams are tighter in comparison to previous EP Love Is A Liars Game. It’s a catchy track and a tight opener, leaving high anticipation for the rest of the record.
Next up is the track Love Is A Liars Game this was originally on the aforementioned EP with former vocalist True Arahill, however, after hearing the acoustic version by new vocalist Tanner, I was excited to hear the full version and it is not disappointing, in fact, I honestly think it is a much better version and that Tanner’s vocals are more suited to it (and honestly, anyone who knows me would be able to tell you just how much I loved the original!). If you had previously heard the old track, it’s pretty much the same arrangement, just with better vocals, the way that Tanner and Kenny’s respective cleans and screams mix together works well, it’s heavier than Noise and shows another side to the band that older fans will remember and love.
Not Giving Up is one of the singles from the record, it has a very deep meaning and bridges the gap between the more poppier and heavier sounds on the album, heavier instrumentation and massive poppy hooks make the track musically sound kinda upbeat, however the lyrics shine through and it is emotional (every time I’ve heard it, I shed a tear).
The Broken is the title track and lead single, and the first original music with the new line-up, which as people will know, needs to be a massive track, and this is. Prominent drums, massive hook, a call to arms, and a really cool riff, what else do you need?
Brisbane’s acoustic feel provides a calming break and is a heartwrenching ballad that shows off Tanner’s incredible vocal range, if you’re familiar with Sleeping With Sirens, this will be slightly reminiscent of their acoustic tracks and the vocals are similar to Kellin’s.
Don’t Wait For Me is the latest single to be released from the record. This is a great track and honestly there isn’t that much that needs to be said, you have to listen to it to understand, it’s calming but at the same time, a track to rock out to.
There For You is another of the band’s tracks with original vocalist True that has been re-recorded with Tanner. Again it is bringing in the heavier sound we know and love, made better with the tighter screams from Kenny, which feature more prominently in this track. I went back and listened to the original after this and the progression between 2014 and 2017 is incredible! Again Tanner’s vocals work well on the track.
As I’m Not Scared kicked in, I had to double check I was still listening to Youth In Revolt, with the opening bars as it reminded me slightly of an Ice Nine Kills intro, however that similarity disappears as soon as you make the connection (well if you do, it might just be because I’ve been listening to them a lot lately), the track itself has very prominent drums and is more atmospheric than the previous tracks on the record.
Alright opens with some ‘woahs’ and a bit of an electronic feel with the repeating of ‘alright’. It’s a calm track and a lot more poppy than the rest of the record, but don’t let that distract you from the sheer class.
Penultimate track Sleep is straight in with the drums and vocals and has a darker feel to it, there are very quick vocal melodies and the drums are again very prominent.
Closing the record is Only One. Ending with another acoustic that really shows off Tanner’s vocals. It’s a love ballad and is beautiful.
Throughout the record, there are great riffs and drums, a strong bassline, massive hooks, poppy melodies and the combination of clean and scream vocals work so well. The lyrics explore multiple themes including love, loss, heartbreak and the world, each track is very well written and performed. While it is a more melodic and poppy album than a ‘true’ post-hardcore one, it still has the elements that made thousands of fans fall in love with the band back in their early days, but shows a lot more maturity and diversity, surely bringing in countless more fans.