We can all agree that 2016 was a disastrous year in global matters, and I have lost part of myself, too halfway through, tumble-weeding into a dark headspace where I have also stopped caring about one of the things that keeps me grounded – music. Thankfully, the holidays have allowed time and peace to reflect, calm the nerves and start getting excited for things to come in 2017. Like the return of none other than You Me At Six!
Barely a week into the new year and they are already topping various charts worldwide with their new release, Night People. The first single of the same title was the one to stir up my interest towards the band once again. It’s gone into a rather indie direction that is a perfect companion to my vision of spending nights out in the city. This dark sound is the main theme throughout the record and “Spell It Out” is where YMAS come to their peak at the moment; it’s one hell of a matured glow-up from the early years.
The track that is perfect the way it was created is “Plus One,” yet its bursting energy makes me wish it was one minute longer along with “Make Your Move” (love the production on that one), it was meant to be played live – think arena level and big festivals. Closing track “Give” and the heartfelt ballad “Take On The World” are definitely music festival worthy highlights. Listening to them, a warm summer sunset and the Main Stage at Reading festival feels more real than a rainy London weekend in January. Get your Kleenex ready for the latter though!
I felt the deepest connection to “Brand New” on a personal level. It reminds me of how people come and go in your life and to let go, is something I’m still learning. This year is also about reinventing in a happier and better way…ya know, to make me feel brand new.
After kind of disliking the Cavalier Youth-era for three years, it feels really great to have the band back in this form. The top-notch production on the new songs and the way they’ve improved as artists left me very impressed, especially on vocals – and I absolutely adore the guitar work on certain tracks (“Can’t Hold Back” is quite playful in that way). The album as a whole reminds of a poppier alternative of Twin Atlantic’s latest release, so anybody who enjoyed that one should do so with this as well.
