Dominic Harrison, also known as Yungblud, recently released his new EP The Underrated Youth, on October 18, 2019. As a follow up to Yungblud’s debut album 21st Century Liability, the EP had been heavily anticipated from fans since its announcement in September.
What I enjoyed about this EP is the versatility of it — Yungblud was able to show his range of musical talents and audience potential in just six songs. “Braindead!”, for example, opens the EP in what is purely a punk song. The screaming of lyrics “pretty braindead” and “Adjusting the lighting / So I can see can’t see the scars on your face [expletive] hiding” calling for the desire to be able to ignore the truths around you. It is a cool confrontation approach on the desire for avoidance.
“Parents” to me was the song on that acted as the connecting song for Yungblud’s album 21st Century Liability and the EP The Underrated Youth. In addition, the message of the song – a new generation growing and surviving in the world that their parents built for them – also relates as a call back to the previous album.
When I mentioned how Yungblud showcased his versatility, “Original Me” was the song I was specifically thinking of. Besides the fact that the song is perfect for the radio without sacrificing the depth of a typical Yungblud track, the song itself is an easy song to bop to. From face value it is a fun song to listen and sing along to. Though with closer examination it allows people to express the universal feeling of sometimes not liking yourself, but learning to love yourself eventual.
The drums in “Casual Sabotage” adds a beat of the music that gives me a hip-hop type vibe and although the song is a hundred percent a part of a rock album it is cool to see that added element. The use of scream-like singing and heavy drums also are what takes the song out of acoustic category and instead makes it a modern rock song.
Not every album or EP needs an acoustic song. My feeling in that matter is only cemented with “Waiting On The Weekend”. The song itself feels out of place on the album, as the song feels as if it should be on an indie album as opposed to the Punk/Rock EP that Yungblud had shaped with the first five songs. The song itself was nice and it very much had a romantic melancholy to it. The message of missing on a chance of love, is something that can resonate with a lot of his audience. I, personally, just think I would rather have had “Casual Sabotage” be the finale to the EP, and maybe Yungblud’s standalone single “Die A Little” proceed it.
So, my overall thoughts? The Underrated Youth does not disappoint at all. I think it not only shows that Yungblud will be an artist that will continue to grow as a musician, but also bring something new to the table every chance he gets!
You can stream The Underrated Youth here.
