This review will be broken down into 4 parts: My first listen, Getting to know it, final thoughts and taking a look at my vinyl/cd/signed goody set. There are also quick check ins where i say my favourite/ least favourite song at the end of each section etc, so if you don't want all the heavy reading and just want a quick idea of my faves then scroll down and simply read the sections in italics! Enjoy!
Part 1: My Very First Listen
First Impressions of Each Song
Want You Back & Youngblood
Love and heard before.
Want You Back & Youngblood
Love and heard before.
Lie To Me
I really enjoy the lyrics and rhythm of this song, particularly the first verse, however I think the chorus sounds a lot nicer in the live version they sang on their most recent tour. If I hadn't heard that though, I'd think it was stunning. I just really really love the production and emotion behind it live which the studio version ever so slightly lacks. I think Luke's vocals are gorgeous but do sound ever so slightly robotic on some of the high notes which is a shame as he's proved he can hit them beautifully live. The guitar in this song is reminiscent of Every Breathe You Take which I imagine was done purposefully as I know they've mentioned their love for that iconic 80's track in interviews.
I really enjoy the lyrics and rhythm of this song, particularly the first verse, however I think the chorus sounds a lot nicer in the live version they sang on their most recent tour. If I hadn't heard that though, I'd think it was stunning. I just really really love the production and emotion behind it live which the studio version ever so slightly lacks. I think Luke's vocals are gorgeous but do sound ever so slightly robotic on some of the high notes which is a shame as he's proved he can hit them beautifully live. The guitar in this song is reminiscent of Every Breathe You Take which I imagine was done purposefully as I know they've mentioned their love for that iconic 80's track in interviews.
Valentine
I really love the dark vibes of this song and the modern beat. It goes really well with the lyrics. The opening line is 'I love the light in your eyes and the dark in your heart' which is a very clever opening line to a song which is a very light message paired with a dark sound. I do sometimes hate drum tracks sounding like this in songs but this is an example of it being done well. You can hear some clear influences in this song but at the same time it's clearly theirs and they own the style very well. I adore the guitar in the bridge, it's so stunning and compliments Luke's slow voice in that part. I think what really makes the chorus, however, is the bass! The only downside to this track to me is the line 'throw the balloons, teddy bears and the chocolate eclairs away' as it sounds very forced and messy with the slow, relaxed and effortless tempo of the song. That might just be me being extra fussy though as I am always very cautious of cramming lyrics together to force them to fit as I've been guilty of the same thing when I began writing songs.
I really love the dark vibes of this song and the modern beat. It goes really well with the lyrics. The opening line is 'I love the light in your eyes and the dark in your heart' which is a very clever opening line to a song which is a very light message paired with a dark sound. I do sometimes hate drum tracks sounding like this in songs but this is an example of it being done well. You can hear some clear influences in this song but at the same time it's clearly theirs and they own the style very well. I adore the guitar in the bridge, it's so stunning and compliments Luke's slow voice in that part. I think what really makes the chorus, however, is the bass! The only downside to this track to me is the line 'throw the balloons, teddy bears and the chocolate eclairs away' as it sounds very forced and messy with the slow, relaxed and effortless tempo of the song. That might just be me being extra fussy though as I am always very cautious of cramming lyrics together to force them to fit as I've been guilty of the same thing when I began writing songs.
Talk Fast
Love the guitar you first hear in the intro and continues throughout! This one is a really fun tempo that's enjoyable to listen to. I also love how the line 'I take what i can get from you' fits melodically in the chorus. The drum track on this song is very loud.. might be nice to hear their vocals a little clearer! I adore Luke in the bridge so much and the production of that part of the song.
Moving Along
This one is my absolute favourite so far. I love the melody and casual vocals in the versus especially Calums solo. It's also got subtle humour in it, with the 'Is it weird? It's so weird' part which is fun. I ADORE the bass and how it accompanies the vocals in the verses. I genuinely can't get over how obsessed I am with Calum's voice at the start. The lyrics are also very true to how it feels in that situation. You know you were stupid and you're paying for it now. I also love the bass and drums in the chorus. It's got a really great vibe to it that I know I won't get bored of. Again I'm a big fan of the bridge on this one! It gets a lot more personal and emotional in the breakdown thanks to
the intimate set up with just stripped back instruments and Luke's voice. Then it gets back to the fun. Also love the ending with the drums changing.
the intimate set up with just stripped back instruments and Luke's voice. Then it gets back to the fun. Also love the ending with the drums changing.
If Walls Could Talk
This is the first song so far I hadn't heard at all before as they haven't played it live. It's a very mysterious and intriguing song which I love. It's the kind of track where you can't help but wonder what it's all about because of the teasing lyrics. Luke's voice shines in this song. I love what I think is Ashton's voice in the 'We'd fall from grace' part.. It's stunning. I love the melody of the pre chorus too. This song is very fast past so it's easy to miss all the great elements in it as there are so many. I love the dramatic guitar and drums in the bridge and how well it goes with the effect on Luke's voice.
This is the first song so far I hadn't heard at all before as they haven't played it live. It's a very mysterious and intriguing song which I love. It's the kind of track where you can't help but wonder what it's all about because of the teasing lyrics. Luke's voice shines in this song. I love what I think is Ashton's voice in the 'We'd fall from grace' part.. It's stunning. I love the melody of the pre chorus too. This song is very fast past so it's easy to miss all the great elements in it as there are so many. I love the dramatic guitar and drums in the bridge and how well it goes with the effect on Luke's voice.
Better Man
I enjoy this song but don't think it's a particularly special or unique track. It could be by any artist around at the moment, but I do love the lyrics and story behind it. It's a nice thing to say to someone, that they bring out the best version of you. I hear some Shawn Mendes influence, especially with the guitar and layout of the song. My favourite part of it is probably the melody of the 'Darling all of my wrongs have lead me right to you' part.
More
The heavy guitar that's the first thing you hear on this track sounds like something I've heard many times before, reminds me of a Demi Lovato track that's been on the radios recently, which seems weird to say. I can't say which one as I'm not very familiar with them. However, the strong production, lyrics and melody of the verses manage to save it for me. I love how the instruments sound and the note changes. This song is also really strong lyrically as this is a feeling I'd say lots and lots of people have experienced and I haven't heard a song capture this emotion as good as 5sos do here. It's so easy to lose your way in a relationship and want to get back to where you used to be, instead of just giving up.. 'I know we break but we're not broken'. I do find the vocals very quiet in this song which sounds fine given the style, but as a personal preference I do prefer to be able to hear the vocals more.
The heavy guitar that's the first thing you hear on this track sounds like something I've heard many times before, reminds me of a Demi Lovato track that's been on the radios recently, which seems weird to say. I can't say which one as I'm not very familiar with them. However, the strong production, lyrics and melody of the verses manage to save it for me. I love how the instruments sound and the note changes. This song is also really strong lyrically as this is a feeling I'd say lots and lots of people have experienced and I haven't heard a song capture this emotion as good as 5sos do here. It's so easy to lose your way in a relationship and want to get back to where you used to be, instead of just giving up.. 'I know we break but we're not broken'. I do find the vocals very quiet in this song which sounds fine given the style, but as a personal preference I do prefer to be able to hear the vocals more.
Why Won't You Love Me
I really don't like the girls/robot voice in the intro of this song. Just personal preference as I never tend to like effects like this. I really like the melody and lyrics of the verses however. The lyrics are very honest and vunrable. Again, it's a song with a very relatable message written in a perspective that hasn't been overdone. I also like that the lyrics aren't cliche, as the title may infer. You couldn't guess the next line in this song as it's so cleary written from someones personal experience. I don't think I like the echo effect on the 'why' in the chorus as it sounds unatural and to me, haults the vibe of the song.. But it is a good song. I adore Calum and Michael's verse!! I also adore the breakdown before the last chorus, with the low melodies and piano. It's so beautiful and authentic. If the rest of the song was more like that it would seem a lot more honest and genuine. I'd like to be able to hear the emotion in their voices in the chorus (like you can in the verses) instead of the unnatural 'why' sound effect played throughout. And to end on a positive note, I enjoy the passion in the drumming in the last verse!
I really don't like the girls/robot voice in the intro of this song. Just personal preference as I never tend to like effects like this. I really like the melody and lyrics of the verses however. The lyrics are very honest and vunrable. Again, it's a song with a very relatable message written in a perspective that hasn't been overdone. I also like that the lyrics aren't cliche, as the title may infer. You couldn't guess the next line in this song as it's so cleary written from someones personal experience. I don't think I like the echo effect on the 'why' in the chorus as it sounds unatural and to me, haults the vibe of the song.. But it is a good song. I adore Calum and Michael's verse!! I also adore the breakdown before the last chorus, with the low melodies and piano. It's so beautiful and authentic. If the rest of the song was more like that it would seem a lot more honest and genuine. I'd like to be able to hear the emotion in their voices in the chorus (like you can in the verses) instead of the unnatural 'why' sound effect played throughout. And to end on a positive note, I enjoy the passion in the drumming in the last verse!
Woke Up In Japan
Really love the opening of this one! Love the melody of the opening/chorus and for some reason I wasn't expecting to love this one as much as I do. I'm obsessed with it. Think I'll have this one on repeat. Love the guitar in the verses, but the chorus definitely steals the light in this one, and rightfully so. There's not much else to this song other than the strong melody of the chorus. However I think that it's playful and memorable enough to carry the song successfully.
Really love the opening of this one! Love the melody of the opening/chorus and for some reason I wasn't expecting to love this one as much as I do. I'm obsessed with it. Think I'll have this one on repeat. Love the guitar in the verses, but the chorus definitely steals the light in this one, and rightfully so. There's not much else to this song other than the strong melody of the chorus. However I think that it's playful and memorable enough to carry the song successfully.
Empty Wallets
This one has similar influences to Valentine. It seems to have some 21 Pilot's influence. I'm incredibly obsessed with the beat and bass. In the second verse the background music reminds me of 2000's black eyed peas vibes for some reason! I adore the piano in the chorus too. Lyrically, this isn't a favourite of mine as I find songs about money quite 'empty', ha ha. It's not a topic with much depth or interest to me.
This one has similar influences to Valentine. It seems to have some 21 Pilot's influence. I'm incredibly obsessed with the beat and bass. In the second verse the background music reminds me of 2000's black eyed peas vibes for some reason! I adore the piano in the chorus too. Lyrically, this isn't a favourite of mine as I find songs about money quite 'empty', ha ha. It's not a topic with much depth or interest to me.
Ghost Of You
This song honestly made me want to call iestyn in the middle of the night and tell him to please never break my heart because I never wanna feel like this. The guitar also reminds me of the scripts second album, particularly the song 'nothing' which is a favourite of mine. I adore this song, it's truly beautiful. The production in the second half of the chorus can sound quite cheesy in comparison to the rest of the album, but as a stand alone song it really works. I'm really really glad that 5sos still are writing stunning songs like this with much more depth and emotion behind the vocals and lyrics, even though this album is much more pop based. The guitar in the bridge also echos similarities to coldplays 'fix you', which is a possible reference to the similar message behind that song about trying to fix someone, however in this song they sing about how they failed to do so. Now they're dealing with the 'Ghost of You'.
Monster Among Men
I really like the message in this song. It's about a man recognising he's not good for her and he's always hurting her and being determined to change. I think we all would like that kind of recognition from someone who's hurt you. It seems a very honest and raw song. I also love that Michael opens it and does so beautifully! I'm not 100% sure if i'm on board with such a sudden tempo change from the verse to the chorus as it catches me off guard and stops the built up tempo of the song so far for me, but i'm sure I'll get used to that with a few listens! Obsessed with the piano in the chorus.
Meet You There
Luke's voice shines in the opening of this. I actually really enjoy the weird knocking etc sound effects played throughout the verses which is unusual for me. I also love the meaning of the song and how they describe it. It's about a relationship which has potential but just isnt working, or they just aren't ready, right now. They're parting ways but keeping in mind that if it's meant to be it'll be, but they way they describe it is beautiful to me: 'So you go your way and I'll go mine, and if we're meant to, I'll meet you there. We can't speed up the hands of time but if we're meant to *love* I'll meet you there.' Not sure how I feel about the heavy track at the end of the chorus. It works well with the song but it just isn't something I expected from them. Not a huge fan on the bridge of this one as it could have been so much better, but I love that Michael sang it. I just really love his voice.
Babylon
The last track is a Calum lead one! What a treat! I'm obsessed with the rhythm and flow of the lyrics in the verses! Works so well. I love how great his voice fits with this song. It's definitely a great track to end the album with a bang. Very different to the end choice for the standard version, which was Ghost Of You. It's very dramatic, and if that's your thing then I'm sure you'll love it. I'm more of a emotional stripped back fan, but appreciate this song greatly for what it is. It does it's job very well!
This song honestly made me want to call iestyn in the middle of the night and tell him to please never break my heart because I never wanna feel like this. The guitar also reminds me of the scripts second album, particularly the song 'nothing' which is a favourite of mine. I adore this song, it's truly beautiful. The production in the second half of the chorus can sound quite cheesy in comparison to the rest of the album, but as a stand alone song it really works. I'm really really glad that 5sos still are writing stunning songs like this with much more depth and emotion behind the vocals and lyrics, even though this album is much more pop based. The guitar in the bridge also echos similarities to coldplays 'fix you', which is a possible reference to the similar message behind that song about trying to fix someone, however in this song they sing about how they failed to do so. Now they're dealing with the 'Ghost of You'.
Monster Among Men
I really like the message in this song. It's about a man recognising he's not good for her and he's always hurting her and being determined to change. I think we all would like that kind of recognition from someone who's hurt you. It seems a very honest and raw song. I also love that Michael opens it and does so beautifully! I'm not 100% sure if i'm on board with such a sudden tempo change from the verse to the chorus as it catches me off guard and stops the built up tempo of the song so far for me, but i'm sure I'll get used to that with a few listens! Obsessed with the piano in the chorus.
Meet You There
Luke's voice shines in the opening of this. I actually really enjoy the weird knocking etc sound effects played throughout the verses which is unusual for me. I also love the meaning of the song and how they describe it. It's about a relationship which has potential but just isnt working, or they just aren't ready, right now. They're parting ways but keeping in mind that if it's meant to be it'll be, but they way they describe it is beautiful to me: 'So you go your way and I'll go mine, and if we're meant to, I'll meet you there. We can't speed up the hands of time but if we're meant to *love* I'll meet you there.' Not sure how I feel about the heavy track at the end of the chorus. It works well with the song but it just isn't something I expected from them. Not a huge fan on the bridge of this one as it could have been so much better, but I love that Michael sang it. I just really love his voice.
Babylon
The last track is a Calum lead one! What a treat! I'm obsessed with the rhythm and flow of the lyrics in the verses! Works so well. I love how great his voice fits with this song. It's definitely a great track to end the album with a bang. Very different to the end choice for the standard version, which was Ghost Of You. It's very dramatic, and if that's your thing then I'm sure you'll love it. I'm more of a emotional stripped back fan, but appreciate this song greatly for what it is. It does it's job very well!
~
Favourite Song: Moving Along
Least Favourite: Better Man
Favoutire Lyric: 'So I drown it out like I always do, dancing through our house with the ghost of you, and i chase it down with a shot of truth, that my feet don't dance like they did with you.'
Favourite Melody: Woke Up In Japan (chorus)
Part 2: Getting To Know The Songs
Which song I've played the most so far: If Walls Could Talk, Moving Along & Valentine.
Which song I've played the least: Babylon, More & Better Man
Part 3: Final Thoughts
After listening to Youngblood all day, I think I've gathered a pretty decent overall opinion on it. I've also learnt most of the lyrics already! I think this is a very strong album for them and definitly is a bold statement in this new chapter. They clearly aren't trying to change for the sake of being different, it feels a very natural progression for them. They also seem very comfotable in this genre. They own each song and never seem out of their depth.
This album, for me, is very strong melodically, especially in comparison to their previous albums. It features more than a handful of unique and strong melodies. I feel like they have many really strong opening verses in this album, not just strong pop chorus's, and their lyrics feel much more honest, yet somehow managing to achieve an element of mystery at the same time which is most artists dream. However, this album hasn't managed to replace my favourite 5sos lyric of all time! That still remains with Sounds Good Feels Good. I still agree with everything I said in my first impressions segment above, so I won't go into detail about each song here.
Favourite Song: Monster Among Men / Moving Along
Least Favourite Song: More
Most Overrated: Babylon (I do think it's great, just not for me sorry!)
Most Underrated: If Walls Could Talk
Favourite Lyric: I can't choose so I'll be doing a separate post with my top ten favourite lyrics from Youngblood! One I do love is 'We're classic together like Egyptian gold'
Favourite Melody: Monster Among Men chorus!
Song that's grown on me the most: If Walls Could Talk
Do I like it more than their debut? Yes!
Do I like it more than SGFG? Not quite! Sounds Good Feels Good will always have a special place in my heart! Feel like it meant more to me personally covering mental health topics and loneliness etc. Definitely an album written with the fans in mind massively. I do appreciate that they have gone with what they love creating with this album and I'm 100% behind that and happy for them, you can tell when listening to it their passion for these songs are real.
Rating: 8/10 (and that's high for me!)
The Physical Copies
Signed Print
Vinyl
The vinyl I have is clear with the black and white stripe from their artwork in the center. It's a gorgous design!
Deluxe CD
Comes with a little picture, lyric and credits book. Love the colours used in this!
Casette Tape
~
Hope you've enjoyed my first album review! If it's popular I'll be sure to do more.. feel free to request any you'd like me to review! I'm sure my layout and steps to reviewing will become neater and more organised the more I do this too.
E x
The Physical Copies
Signed Print
Don't know what to say other than ahhhhhhhhh!
Vinyl
The vinyl I have is clear with the black and white stripe from their artwork in the center. It's a gorgous design!
Deluxe CD
Comes with a little picture, lyric and credits book. Love the colours used in this!
Casette Tape
Hope you've enjoyed my first album review! If it's popular I'll be sure to do more.. feel free to request any you'd like me to review! I'm sure my layout and steps to reviewing will become neater and more organised the more I do this too.
E x
*THIS POST IS AN EXACT COPY AND WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON BLOG ESPEARUPDATES.COM ON JUNE 14th 2018*
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