Well what a year it’s been for Citizen and what a debut to begin their career with. Having already smashed it over in the US in 2013, their album ‘Youth‘ is set for an official UK release this summer through Run For Cover Records. Yes, we’ve probably spun the mere 10 tracks plenty before, but let’s look again at why this album is a defining moment for Citizen, punk and good ears everywhere.
If you’ve ever wondered what a leaking bottle of angst sounded like, it’s this. From the outset, it’s clear that the simple but powerful musicianship is a driving force behind Citizen’s talent. The album kicks off with ‘Roam The Room’; a fairly steady intro leaves us intrigued about what’s to come. Yet the moment the vocal layering kicks in, you know that this is something really special. Not only are the vocals harmonised, but different qualities are combined to give a rough-around-the-edges kind of feel. This intricate technique is encompassed throughout the guitar-driven album and really defines the bands’ endeavours in a saturated market.
And then there’s ‘The Summer‘. There must be something wired into the core of this song that means you just can’t listen to it once. The melancholic utterances from vocalist Mat Kerekes over such simple but ambient guitar proves the impact this song can and will make. They’ve also made a rad video to tie in with the UK release and soon to be UK tour.
Meanwhile, ‘Sleep’ oozes with Brand New influences: stripped back guitar, vocal harmonies dripping with angst over a soft percussive beat. This empathy ridden style spills into ‘The Night I Drove Alone’, ‘How Does It Feel?’ and ‘Speaking With A Ghost’ demonstrating their gentle emo abilities.
The album accelerates slightly come ‘Your Head Got Misplaced’, while ‘Sick And Impatient’ lends itself towards early Nirvana as it bleeds feelings through clenched teeth. ‘Drawn Out’ is seasoned with a little more pop-punk zest than the preceding songs, ending the album with an upbeat peppering to the somberness found within.
So happy one year anniversary to ‘Youth’ and here’s to many more years of UK listeners enjoying the divine music it holds.
