Young the Giant, Jungle Youth | Track Review 🎵

Alternative band Young the Giant delivers a surefire hit with single “Jungle Youth,” which proves to be a truly fantastic, soulful record.

After five years of availability and debuting outside of the top 40, Young the Giant was certified gold.  Young the Giant being the debut album by alternative band Young the Giant – duh! Sophomore album Mind Over Matter gave YTG their first top-10-album.  As of July 2016, though, Mind Over Matter remains uncertified by the RIAA.  Regardless, YTG are likely looking for big things from their third LP, Jungle Youth, due August 12.  Fittingly, title track “Jungle Youth” serves as a single.

“Jungle Youth” kicks off with jungle sound effects, certainly appropriate considering the title.  The groove is confident, with equally confident, dirty guitars following the intro. Instrumentally, there are a number of superb ideas – solos, riffs, bass lines, and the overall harmonic progression.  One of the best elements of the form are the instrumental interludes the follow the chorus; they provide separation and allow for the band to flex their musical muscle.

As excellent as the music is causing head nodding and foot tapping, the vocals propel “Jungle Youth” as well.  The vocals can be characterized as assertive, biting, and chocked full of expression and nuance. The chorus, in particular, flaunts the elite vocals of the frontman, Sameer Gadhia. It also doesn’t hurt that the chorus is catchy and well-written:

“I look up / I look down /everybody’s bigger than Holy water / ain’t enough going around / raise their cups / wear their crowns / just sitting on a ghost-stained altar / feel the jungle youth sound”

Final Thoughts

All in all, “Jungle Youth” is a fantastic, soulful record. It shows off superb musicianship with various musical cues and fresh ideas. Ultimately, it is well-structured and well-written.  There is little if anything to nitpick about the song.

Young the Giant • Home of the Strange • Fueled by Ramen • Release:  8.12.16

Photo Credit: Fueled by Ramen