British alternative newcomer YUNGBLUD infuses “fresh blood” into the music game with his thrilling, eclectic debut album, ‘21^st Century Liability.’

“They tried to put me on Ritalin / Visions of calming me down / They tried to put me on Ritalin / Hopin’ I don’t make a sound.” British newcomer YUNGBLUD (Dominic Harrison) may be a self-described 21^st Century Liability on his debut album, but the tortured soul is no liability when it comes to making cool music.

What stands out about this young artist is how eclectic and truly unique he is.  What’s most thrilling about 21^st Century Liability is the ‘fresh blood’ that he infuses into the game.

“Eulogy”

“Eulogy” exceptionally sets the tone for 21^st Century Liability, foreshadowing the liberalness and rebelliousness of Harrison and the album to come.  At one point, his eulogizer asserts, “He just didn’t give a fuck really / ‘Til the politicians killed him / He spook far too loud.” “Die for the Hype” brilliantly follows, finding YUNGBLUD addressing his own death, asserting, “I Just wanna die for the hype… / Crucify like Jesus Christ.”  If that isn’t a tortured, young soul, then I don’t know what is.

“I just want to be stupid.” “Doctor Doctor” and “Medication” address the medical aspects of the young man’s perceived craziness, which seems more youthful than truly mentally ill. “Doctor, doctor, give me a lobotomy,” he sings on “Doctor Doctor,” adding, “So I don’t see / What is in front of me.”  He goes on to endearing sing about shots and blood clots, ultimately stating that he’ll continue to be stupid.  Clearly on “Medication” he’s totally ‘out of his mind’ – “But my head is stuck to the ceiling / I can’t get it off / You superglued it on / It’s like I’m a bad scene stuck in a wet dream.” That particular lyric is absolutely brilliant, because it exhibits pain and pleasure.

“Machine Gun (F**k the NRA)”

“Machine Gun (F**k the NRA)” rolls on without a hitch, finding YUNGBLUD continually in a bad state of mind. Interestingly, there’s clearly a political tilt, as Harrison emphasizes the danger of an unstable, crazy teen with a gun.  With the school violence in particular, there’s plenty of discussion about placing more focus on mental health, while gun control is a divisive topic, particularly for conservatives. “Wanna see my machine gun / My new machine gun / You better fuckin’ run.”

Politics and social matters continue to fuel the fire on highlight “Psychotic Kids,” where Harrison sees a better world without suffering and racial injustice.  Besides going transcendent, he also stays within the narrative he’s assembled, referencing self-harm, and the fact that his parents thinks he’s a heroin addict and totally crazy.  These “Psychotic kids, [who] don’t know what they want” are the future, which seems to be part of the message here. “Anarchist” continues with the harmful theme established on “Machine Gun.” Harrison, ever-tortured, asserts, “I’m employee of the month at a Ritalin club.” His honest, openness, and shock value are part of the reason why 21^st Century Liability is such a consistent, strong album.

“I Love You, Will You Marry Me”

“I Love You, Will You Marry Me” is a change of pace, based upon a dark love story from Sheffield, the neighboring city to Harrison’s hometown, Doncaster.  The artwork referenced in the song is graffiti with the titular lyric, which served as a proposal to a specific, real-life person, Clare Middleton.  Clare’s name was part of the original graffiti, but when reproduced as artwork, it’s often disregarded: “They didn’t write her name on the article / That to me just seems pretty farcical…” While this song seems to be the ‘oddball out’ if you don’t understand the backstory, it’s among the cleverest of the album.

“Polygraph Eyes” focuses on when “A bit of fun turns to regret.” YUNGLBUD sings about guys taking advantage of girls sexually. He urges, “Leave it alone mate… / But you hear what you want when she can’t even talk.” On the violent “Kill Somebody,” he expresses his feelings about someone bringing him down badly and having the desire to kill them. It’s metaphorical in the big scheme of things, but, Harrison wishes to emphasize the reality that came come of such a scenario.

“California”

“I can’t believe you put me in a straitjacket.” Penultimate record “California” successfully fuses alternative, hip-hop, and, punk.  To some degree, the energetic “California” seems to be about older generations, pointing the finger at the uncouthness and sheer rebelliousness of younger generation.  When YUNGBLUD asserts, “That I am ok you take more drugs than me,” a snapshot of rebellious parents and/or grandparents growing up the turbulent 60s and 70s, a time of great social change, comes to mind.  Regardless, youthfulness plays a role, confirmed by the catchy, memorable chorus, where he states his desire to go to California and enjoy his youth.

“Maybe I just need to go to California / ‘Cause I am young, don’t wanna die, yet can’t afford it / Maybe I just need to go to California / Swear that when I get old you’ll blow all my brains out.”

21^st Century Liability closes with a bang with “21^st Century Liability”.“21^st Century Liability” features a rock-oriented backdrop, with YUNGBLUD embracing rapping and chanting as opposed to singing and pitch. Some of the bold lyrics he bestows upon the listener on the first verse are “I’m drinking bleach so that I feel the fire” and “I’m shaving my face with a coke covered razor.”  On the chorus, notably, he repeats the rebellious titular lyric. While he avoids the “coke covered razor” on the second verse, he’s arguably MORE of a liability.

“I met a person I think I fell in love / A certain kind of love you can’t find in drugs / But I fucked it up need alone time / It’s like I killed myself ‘I love you long time.’”

Final Thoughts 

Perhaps YUNGBLUD is indeed a 21^st Century Liability, but he proves he has ample potential on this bold, wild, and ‘tortured-teen’ affair.  Clearly restless, the young Brit, approaching his 20^th birthday, brings ample freshness to the table, a welcome sight.  Sometimes he sings, other times, he raps. The production, borrowing from rock, rap, punk, and other styles, is always an asset, propelling this fireball with even more fire. He also manages to stick with the concept throughout the 12-track, 35-minute duration of the LP. The future looks and sounds bright for Dominic Harrison.

Gems: “Die for the Hype,” “Doctor Doctor,” “Machine Gun (F**k the NRA),” “Psychotic Kids,” “California” & “21 Century Liability”

YUNGBLUD • 21^st Century Liability • Geffen • Release: 7.6.18

Photo Credit: Geffen