Youth League, Unwanted Guest, & Sleep Outside
Oh, hell yes! Let me start off by saying one of my all time favorite bands is Minus the Bear, so when I heard “Nineteen Ninety Nine” by Youth League, I was one happy panda. No, they don’t quite sound like MTB, which I think is a good thing, since uniqueness is an advantage. I’d call it a satisfying mix of math rock & post rock, with excellent guitar work , prominent (and badass) bass, solid drumming, and smooth vocals. In any case, this trio delivers with great brio! I’m gonna add this to my library & listen to the rest of their brand new album Somehow Those Were Days. You should do the same!
From Sheffield, UK, Unwanted Guest comes barging in with “Constructive Ambiguity.” What a refreshing intersection of rock and metal! This one hooked me right away. It’s deceptively dynamic with mellow moments that blossom into rocking and riffing! The vocals are quite melodic and dare I say fun?! This song is a great divergence from the formulaic doldrums and it gets bonus points for having a totally-tasteful, extra-slick, guitar solo!
Starting off in 7/4 will always get my attention. Doing so with a catchy melody and a rocking beat will draw a smile out of my resting bitchface. Sleep Outside’s new track “This Won’t Ever Last” is a song worth hearing. Working through themes of impermanence and ambition, it’s a sweet balance between clever & catchy throughout. If you like thoughtful, energetic rock, it is definitely a song worth checking out.