January 27th, 2014 
Sara Scoggins 
Artist: You Me At Six
Album: Cavalier Youth
Genre: Rock
Label: Prospect Park
This past summer, You Me At Six spent two months recording what would become their fourth full-length album in Los Angeles, CA. With the help of Neal Avron (Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park), they set out to make the best You Me At Six record possible. And, they did.
When I found out Avron had produced the new album, I anticipated he would have a noticeable effect on their sound. However, it seems he just guided them to progress beyond where Sinners Never Sleep left off and was able to expand on the sound they have been fine-tuning for the past six years. On Cavalier Youth, You Me At Six simply sounds bigger than ever before. The tracks are full of ear-quenching guitar riffs, mesmerizing drum patterns and vocals that could be categorized at times as gritty, commanding or simply beautiful. There’s a wide range to take in and this body of work showcases more of their abilities as musicians than pervious releases.
Lyrically, the album is laced with references of growing up and moving on while keeping a hopeful state of mind. With songs titled “Hope For The Best” and “Fresh Start Fever,” it seems some personal growth and acceptance inspired the album’s themes. There’s still a question of what lies ahead in the closing track “Wild Ones,” begging the question; “are we gonna live forever?”
While lyrically the songs might be in a more positive place, they still hold onto the aggressive YMAS sound for anyone that loves their take on rock. There’s also one of the sweetest little love songs I have ever heard towards the end of the album. “Be Who You Are,” cites the beginning of a budding romance that has since turned to love. It was an unexpected turn in the album, but I found it endearing.
Overall Cavalier Youth is powerful, uplifting and tells the tale of accepting that growing up doesn’t have to mean growing old. That once we accept those challenges and changes in our lives, we can embrace and seize the next chapters we have to conquer. And we will do it together.
SCORE: 8/10
Review written by Sara Scoggins (Follow her on Twitter).
Cavalier Youth is available in the US on January 28th via Prospect Park.
- REVIEW: We Are The In Crowd – ‘Weird Kids’ - February 18, 2014
- REVIEW: You Me At Six – ‘Cavalier Youth’ - January 27, 2014
- LIVE REVIEW: Blink-182 ‘Untitled’ 10-Year Anniversary Show (11/7/13) - November 11, 2013
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