A Punk Gem – Yung’s ‘A Youthful Dream’
Danish band impress with energy on debut album
Photo credit: Louise Swärd Alfbecker
Written by: Marc-Emile Poulin
Yung has released their debut LP, A Youthful Dream, a solid album that definitely leaves a positive impression on the band as they come out with surprising assurance in terms of sound, consistency, and substance. The record wraps us in a chaotic atmosphere, built on spider webs of twisted and hypnotic guitars riffs, very punkish train-like bass, and supported by an eccentric and fresh drumming marathon. The album almost feels like a creation concocted in an old castle secluded somewhere by a mad genius scientist.
Opening song ‘The Hatch’ starts on a very loud note, that launches the listeners directly into a strong wall of sounds. The track leaves no time to breathe and Yung just shows us their intent without wasting any precious time. ‘A Mortal Sin’ is a follow-up that still shakes the air with a confident and powerful rolling drum that drives a very straightforward kind of punk song, while the track ‘Uncombed Hair’ keeps pushing that vigorous energy in an interesting way.
A Youthful Dream doesn’t forget to bring down the tempo, to help us decompress a bit from that wild and vibrant intensity. Songs like ‘Morning View’ bring out the acoustic guitars to calm things down, but still maintain strong stamina with a dynamic drum and a bouncing bass that backs the whole structure of the song very well. ‘The Child’ embraces a sad and melancholic tone but still fills all the spaces with various grooving textures that keeps the signature style of the album.
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The Danish band draws on pretty clear influence from garage and punk. These kind of styles have their limitations and it can be hard for a band to break new ground. However, in all honesty, Yung stands out brilliantly. The band conserves those catchy punk lines here and there like in the infectious ‘Pills’, the well-driven ‘Blanket’ and many others. Plus, there’s just a little something, a magic touch in this palette of songs which shows us that the band has really something going on—a solid chemistry between the members that paints every single track with a different color.
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In brief, A Youthful Dream is more than an interesting record, it’s a little underground punk gem. It’s the kind of album you’re happy to find and get your hands on like a piece of nice clothing or a majestic antique that you find in a flea market hidden in obscurity. It stays with you; it feels good and sounds good. Yung is a band to check out, do not miss it!
A Youthful Dream was released on 10/6 on Fat Possum Records. Buy it here.
