The highly anticipated release of Cavalier Youth is all that I’ve been hearing about in regards to YMAS, of late. Scattered single drops and accompanying music videos definitely caught both my eyes and ears, (not to mention the incorporation of said songs into their live set on their most recent stint with Paramore) and immediately, I detected a different sounding YMAS. As a result, my interest was more than definitely caught. So, when I finally got my hands on a copy of the new album, I decided the best way to fully appreciate it was to wait until my house was empty and blast it over my nifty little speaker set up, in full and in hindsight, I believe this was the best possible method.
Opening with Too Young To Feel This Old, the album immediately showcases instrumental arrangements unlike its predecessors; the guitars almost seem to pay tribute to the sweeping anthems of the 70’s and 80‘s and the vocal maturity of Franceschi is certainly apparent. It’s not too soft and not too hard for an opening track and it sets the albums tone perfectly.
Fresh Start Fever opens with a sombre piano piece and quickly transitions into a edgy, punchy single with perfect attitude. It’s always been the darker tracks of YMAS (ie. The Consequence, The Rumour and Bite My Tongue) that I’ve appreciated most, as Franceschi’s voice seems a most ideal counterpart; this is also apparent in the track Win Some, Lose Some, where Franceschi’s guttural vocals in the bridge just give this reviewer goosebumps. He has enough power behind him to make these ‘angry as fuck’ vocals work without making it seem forced and it’s nice to see him unaccompanied by a guest vocalist, again. Coming quickly back to Fresh Start Fever, the drumming work of Dan Flint is particularly catchy and bouncy throughout this track and definitely makes this a song you want to jump along to. As a matter of fact, it translated perfectly into the live arena last month, with the crowd never missing a beat.
Continuing on the path of edginess, Room To Breathe is possibly the standout track for this reviewer. The combined efforts of Max Helyer, Matt Barnes and Chris Miller without a doubt make this track what it is; pleasing to the ears and atmospheric in nature, the guitars are at their strongest on this track than on any other on the album – it’s a track I highly anticipate seeing live and it is now highly ranked among my ‘Favourite YMAS Tracks Of All Time’ list.
As the album winds down, the incorporation of delightful melodies allow the album to come full circle. Cold Night, at least to this reviewer, seems to show hints of Coldplay inspired instrumental work and melody; it’s a wonderful track and the bridge and final chorus are positively perfect. It’s a track that has strong potential to be an eventual single release and one I’m sure they’ll utilize the combined voices of their fans on, when played live. Wild Ones is a perfect conclusion to this impressive album and neatly wraps the album up, similarly to that of Fireworks on Hold Me Down and When We Were Younger on Sinners Never Sleep. This continued theme of powerful final tracks works well in the bands favour and a tradition I’m glad to see they’re continuing.
All in all, Cavalier Youth is, in my honest opinion, YMAS’ best work to date. It shows clear progression but also pays tribute to their humble beginnings and definitely maintains authenticity. This is an album that has done splendidly on the charts in its short lifespan thus far and one that will take the band further than they’ve ventured before. A genuinely wonderful album, Cavalier Youth has kicked 2014 off in the right way!