I have to admit,when Josh, Dan, Max, Matt and Chris reveal that new material is soon to be released, the little fan-girl comes out in me, bringing me back to days of straightened hair that covered my eyes, black hoodies and ball-stranglingly tight skinny jeans. But these days you don't have to be so stereotypical to enjoy You Me At Six. Each album has brought a more grown up, experienced and well polished band, that now tour the world, conquer stages and deliver their electrifying live set to their massive fan base. This time around they even took a UK no.1 album, so here it is... Cavalier Youth.
Opening track, 'Too Young To Feel This Old' seems to be the perfect way to start the album. A screeching guitar solo, distorted rhythm and the lyrics 'We're not young any more', highlighting a more mature, well rounded You Me At Six. Although that's changed, Josh's angelic voice never seems to have broken, still portraying their signature punk-pop twist.
'Lived a lie' reveals old traits. Quirky lyrics, catchy guitar lines and an infectious drum beat.
Track 3 starts with an almost hypnotic piano riff, then Josh then comes in with Patrick Stump esque vocals, evolving into a very Fall Out Boy inspired song that kicks you in the face with a high octane chorus belting 'Fresh Start Fever' at the top of his lungs. A signature drum dominated breakdown, echoing back up vocals and Josh's grimy, gritty vocals will help this to be a great crowd pleaser over their next few months of touring around the world.
'Forgive and forget' is track four on Cavalier Youth. New styles of massive kick drums and fills dominate this track, sending chills down your spine. Not a typical YMAS track, but the flanger guitar effects give the song an atmospheric feel.
All I hear in track 5, 'Room To Breathe', is a young Guns track. Josh and co. will have been heavily involved with these lads on the gig circuit over the last few years, so taking inspiration with ever present one note reverbed guitar lines is an inevitable thing. It also reminds me of 'Tiger and sharks' of debut album 'Take Off Your Colours', in its punching choruses and gut-wrenching vocals, showing that they have not lost touch with what they have always been.
In 'Win Some, Loose Some', You Me At Six expose the heavy tint that they have never seemed to loose. Punk-pop-rock perfection of the 21st century.
I can't help but think of Kings Of Leon with the opening riff to 'Cold Night', but then YMAS' smacks you in the face with an anything but subtle chorus, yet again.
'Hope For The Best' is a dose for fans of the first and second albums, but with a more refined palate of what creates a good, strong pop-punk track.
A great distorted guitar progression acts as the body for track 9, 'Love Me Like You Used To'. Additions of technical bass riffs, screeching guitar solos, very much a staple technique of this album, but the strange addition of a techno guitar effect gives a synth layer that just isn't needed throughout verse 2.
'Be Who You Are' is stripped down, almost 2min track, showing that studio production is not always needed. Warm, inviting fingerpicked guitar draws you into a happy, magical interlude that sets you up for the more upbeat concluding tracks of the album.
'Carpe Diem' - 'Seize the day' for translation acts as a catalyst message, suggesting you should go grab the day by ankles and do the best you can. Uplifting guitar melodies create a warm feel that invites you in.
'Wild ones'. Not quite wild, but subtle in it's enchanting way. A mixture of acoustic guitars, a few electrics, vocals and a drum kit merge to create a signature rock ballad, relating to 'Fireworks' 'When We Were Younger' and 'Always Attract' that cap off the end of each album in their own perfect way.
All in all, another great album from You Me At Six. Reaching No.1 has been the building blocks for such a fantastic week for them, after announcing big summer shows at Reading and Leeds Festival this week.
I think it's hard for a band to keep hold of their fan base through numerous albums and periods of change in the music industry, but You Me At Six have not only held on to their original fans, but grown to be bigger and better every time they come back around. I wouldn't usually admit it, but I am a fan of these lads and I have grown up with them. It's great to see a band grow and progress, becoming better and better every time.
