Saturday 8 March 2014

Reptile Youth - JJ

Single review by soul1@thesoundofconfusion.com


Ah, Denmark. What a roll you're on! Copenhagen's Reptile Youth have been together since 2009 and have a huge fanbase, but they remain unsigned. That's almost criminal for a band this good, but there's a revolutionary new site that's aiming to change that (more details to come on that one). Their new self-released album 'Rivers That Run For A Sea That Is Gone' is out on Monday, and single 'JJ' hints that it could be a melodic shoegaze triumph. Reptile Youth are another band who you could draw up a decent list of comparisons to, involving most of the main players in that scene, but ultimately it's whether their songs are any good that will decide their fate. 20,000 Facebook "Likes" suggests that they almost certainly are, even though this is the first time we've heard them.

The intro of a big and bold drumbeat with guitars that sound like they're undergoing some form of torture sets the tone, and this sound remains for the duration, but it does get overlaid by more guitars and a sweeping wall of noise. Unsigned maybe, but they don't sound like it; they sound like total pros. The vocals contrast the instrumental effects very nicely, adding plenty of melody so that 'JJ' doubles up as a tune for those who like their guitars to be laid on thick and also those who want something they can sing along to. The slight reduction in noise for the mid-section (which retains the pace of the song) helps to break things up a bit without losing sight of the vision on the track. It's a neat touch and one that prevents them being seen as one-dimensional. Sterling work.



Reptile Youth's website

Stream the album in full

Buy the album

Catch them live:

Mar 13 Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, Denmark
Mar 14 Studenterhuset, Aalborg, Denmark
Mar 15 Voxhall, Aarhus, Denmark
Mar 27 Magnolia, Milan, Italy
Apr 02 Bikini, Barcelona, Spain
Apr 03 Joy, Madrid, Spain
Apr 04 The Shacklewell Arms, London, United Kingdom  
Apr 15 Hansa 39, Munich, Germany
Apr 16 Kaserne, Basel, Switzerland
Apr 17 Kammgarn, Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Apr 18 Dachstock, Bern, Switzerland
Apr 25 Noppen Air Musikfestival, Herzogsdorf, Austria
Apr 26 Rockhaouse, Salzburg, Austria
Apr 27 Fluc, Vienna, Austria
May 04 Bi Nuu, Berlin, Germany
May 05 Blue Shell, Cologne, Germany
May 06 Knust, Hamburg, Germany
Jun 21 Beurssschouwburg, Brussels, Belgium





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