Young Art Sound
Listening to Young Art Sound is like getting a backstage pass to a community of underground electronic artists. The 12-track EP brings multiple US and Canadian acts together for the Young Art Sound Tour (currently underway), making it essentially a mixtape for the casual listener.
Jesse Boykins III
The collection, produced by Young Art Records, does suffer from the imprisonment of the recording studio. “Lazers” by GITCHII and Soslo, for instance, is particularly built for a live setting, with harsh beats and irregular, siren-like sounds, so some of its energy and impact is lost without that extra feedback. That said, the collection contains some pleasing tracks for those unable to sweat it out among the crowds.
“Live Love” by Jesse Boykins III and Two Fresh is one of these, possessing a fresh, futuristic sound boosted by flexible beats and vocals, paired with attention-grabbing lyrics like, “Sentimental madness/ never got us anywhere/ hold on close to passion/ like lungs hold onto air”
There’s been a trend among electronic artists to have animals serve as inspiration for albums like Disclosure's Caracal or individual songs, as with “Wildcat” by Toronto-based a l l i e—the second track on Young Art Sound and most instantly impactful. “Wildcat” may not be distinctly creative in execution, but its polished sound, booming bass and smooth chorus ensure longevity. Young Art Sound’s overarching theme of futurism is again carried, this time in the lyrical composition: “When you held me underwater/ I pushed back but you pushed harder/ so hard that I fell backwards into another time”
A considerable chunk of the album is dedicated to remixes of existing songs from artists featured on the EP. Some work better than others. The remix of “Surrender” by soul singer Gavin Turek, is a highlight, boasting electro beats and accelerated energy against a house-style backdrop that builds off the original’s glossy production. The remix of “Undone” by Los Angeles trio Wear Patterns, on the other hand, suffers the same issue as “Lazers,” in that the mixture of brisk, electronic sounds would garner more traction during a live showing.
A considerable chunk of the album is dedicated to remixes of existing songs from artists featured on the EP. Some work better than others.
Other remixes work against themselves. The remix of TOKiMONSTA’s “Put It Down,” for example, has sharp changes that make the song hard to get into. I love songs with a good payoff, but the remix of CRI’s “Why I Love You” falls short on this criterion. Although some will find it one of the catchiest songs on the EP for the uptempo ‘90s’ beat, the protracted intro of slow, echoing sounds is more off-putting than satisfying.
Closing the EP is one final remix, “Further” by Josh One, a mellower composition than other songs that precede it, with rat-a-tat drums and steady strings instead of beats and flashy sounds, coming across as something akin to a jam session. With mentions of galaxies and epic adventures, the song gently fits with the EP’s overall vibes from a lyrical standpoint. On the other hand, it feels like a tame conclusion rather than a smart risk for an EP built around electronic-led futurism.
Taken all together Young Art Sound feels conventional at parts and boldly fresh in others. The latter ones make the journey worth taking, if only for the excellence of “Wildcat.”
7,620 out of 10,000 Rawckus Kung Fu Throwing Stars
