Toronto-based Young Empires' debut LP, Wake All My Youth was packed with upbeat, feel-good, versatile "haute rock" (self-described by the band) songs that played well at the gym, on the dancefloor, in the car or at the library. (Give standout "Rain of Gold" from the album a listen below.)
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The band reemerges with "So Cruel," a track that maintains the electro-pop bounce of the band's earlier work while adding layers of heartbreak and emotional vulnerability to the equation. Passion Pit-esque vocal samples and well-paced drum machines in addition to lead vocalist Matthew Vlahovich's infectious hook lend "So Cruel" the same versatility as their earlier songs. But heartbreak sounds good on the band, providing more force and depth to "So Cruel." Hopefully, Young Empires keep emotion running high on their not-yet-announced sophomore album, presumably due out at some point in 2015 on Votiv Music.
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Young Empires
So Cruel
- Votiv Music
- 2015-02-20
