YUNGBLUD - YUNGBLUD
Released: 02/09/22
Natalie Brown
YUNGBLUD releases his 3rd self-titled album which comes with real vulnerability, showing the critics who he is and what YUNGBLUD is really made up of.
A punchy opening with ‘The funeral’ discusses Harrison’s vulnerabilities with an ‘emo’ tone balanced with pop rock before heading into ‘Tissues’ a catchy, upbeat love song. Here, he used a sample of the cures ‘Close to me’ with vocals adding to the heartening feel.
‘Cruel Kids’ doesn’t feel like a prominent track on the album but fits in beautifully. Harrison's words ‘Don’t leave me alone, cause’ I won’t survive it’ speaks to fans. The bleak feeling of the track is counteracted by the feeling of
community, something which Harrison constantly strives for. In the end, the instrumentals cut out and there are a couple of seconds where that same line is sung, making it feel like a direct message to the listener.
‘I Cry 2’ again humanises Harrison however, the genre and more electro sound differ from others on the album. It doesn’t feel unique or stand out like most things about YUNGBLUD. It seems heavily inspired by the 1975 and not as individual.
‘Sex not Violence’ brings back the meaningful tone of discussing important issues such as gender. It carries the metaphor of ‘love over hate’ another message for his critics and fans alike.
His previously released single ‘Don’t feel like feeling sad today’ is optimistic and hopeful (Read my full review on this track here:‘Don’t feel like feeling sad today’ – Daily dose of inspiration from YUNGBLUD (song review) (morethanjustmusicblog.com) ) before the stripped-back, acoustic ‘Die For a Night’ plays. The mood changes so quickly in just over a minute and a half. Through compelling lyrics ‘would anyone mind it, would anyone like it, if I could die for a night’. Due to the length of the song, it feels like thoughts written in a notebook, something you wouldn’t openly put out into the world. But Harrison has shared something that opens up his vulnerability once again.
The final song ‘The Boy In The Black Dress’ ends the album perfectly. Initially, the opening instrumentals feel like an upbeat indie hit but as soon as the lyrics hit, the tone differs. The song almost tells like a story from Harrison’s childhood to now. This personal ending shows YUNGBLID’S self-discovery and leaves us feeling a lot more connected to him than we did at the start of the album.
At times, it doesn’t feel like Harrison is breaking boundaries like he used to with striking songs such as ‘parents’ and ‘hope for the underrated youth’ but instead he opens up more parts about himself ‘reclaiming’ his name and ‘humanizing the caicature’ he’s created. (https://www.nme.com/big-reads/yungblud-cover-interview-2022-self-titled-third-album-3238712). This is exactly what he has achieved with this release.
After his album ‘Weird!’ presented different personas, Harrison presents even more of himself here. As ever YUNGBLUD is still evolving and changing but this work is certainly his most cohesive and centered album yet.
Comments