The Young International is a new band you should know about, if you are into lush pop music laden with hooks. The band manages to put a unique spin on a familiar sound and works it to their advantage, they seem new but feel like old friends. You know after listening to this EP we will hear more from them as time goes on. Made up of long time friends/collaborators who could be deemed the Second Coming of the Warhols Music Factory using all frames of media to get their message out to the masses. The band is made up of the following - Kaleb Jones - Vocals/Guitar; Chase Gregory - Lead Guitar; David Deaton – Bass; Thomas Doeve - Drums/Programming.
The six songs that make up the EP are finely crafted pop tunes each with their own catchy hook to grab you and make you want to sing along with the chorus. The first song “Ruckus” is one of those types of tunes that start slow with the drum and bass building along with the guitars, by the time you get to the chorus you’re into it “I’ll tell you what we’re going to start a ruckus”. The second song “Gravity” hooks you right from the start, with a driving guitar sound, this EP was co-produced by Mitch Dane of Jars Of Clay fame and you can hear his influence in the studio during this song. “Say Goodbye To The Sun” is another echo-plexed guitar dreamscape filled with background “oohs” and “aahs”. “Shadowboxing” is an acoustic guitar number laden with strings and lilting vocals that reminded me of the band Keane. The chorus “Maybe I’m just striking at the wind, shooting at a target I can’t hit and I’ve spent my precious time on it searching just to find I must be losing my mind” fits the music beautifully and they give each other an emotional feel. The final song “Straight Line” is probably my favorite with a great drum beat, sonic guitar, great hooks and vocals to back it up. Overall a great first EP highly recommended, after all “Everything’s gonna be alright Yeah, everything’s gonna be alright Moving in a straight line”.
