“What do they say about the best laid plans?” After one listen to Chicago-based the The Youngest’s sophomore effort, the band’s wary lyric proves an apt bellwether for their generation’s growing anxiety. Thirteen unified tracks roar with sonic energy, colored by the crashing nerves of adulthood and cementing the group as one of the most alluring young bands from America’s heartland, who will release See It Through on October 28th.
Produced by Brian Deck (Iron & Wine, Modest Mouse, Josh Ritter), the album offers the textured mix, pulling emotion to the forefront of each track. The album’s central vibe—its sweeping ornamentation and swirling keys—the band credits in part to their “secret weapon,” Wilco’s Pat Sansone, whose instrument production fills out each lush arrangement.
Frontman Andrew Taetz (vocals, rhythm guitar, keys) identifies the album’s inspiration as “half relationships and half society.” See It Through’s frenetic lyricism offers a reflection on both the current civil zeitgeist and modern youth’s reaction to it. Anchored by an enthralling sound scape courtesy of John Wood (vocals, drums), Brendan Linnane (pedal steel, guitar), and John Quinn (guitar), the tracks drift from upbeat Americana to wistful folk to guitar-driven blues without ever moving arms-distance from their pensive through line. Lead single “Built To Last” is available now and offered as an instant-grat track when you pre-order the album through iTunes.
Take a listen to this glimmering track, and start your day on the right foot…or, ear:
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