Reviews of Young the Giant's latest album: Mind over Matter

Young the Giant's latest album: a refreshing musical artwork

Young the Giant's second album Mind over Matter embodies the most mesmerizing feature of this 5-piece band: their knack for transcending genres, fixed pace and patterns with musical flair. 

The 13-track album kicks off with a dreamlike instrumental track, skips into a light-footed pluck-beat in the second track, then moves to a classic rock melody, and switches to a 90's electro tune in the third track. The rest of album continues to alternate rapidly between styles and strides right through the album.

Young the Giant's latest album delivers a musical swirl of classic rock, Indie rock, British rock, soul, pop, ballad and lullaby melodies, 90’s electro and soul. The eclectic surprise is these genres often meet up within individual songs.

The decade old Young the Giant has been criticised for not owning a definitive sound, but Mind over Matter's producer, veteran Joe Chiccarelli has elbowed the band further musical disparity. Which is not a bad thing.

Most bands opt for selling branded music wrapped in a corporate identity and boxed in a genre. Young the Giant's seems to explore music as an entity even more so in this album.

This album is a step away from the safe summery Indie rock of their first and self-titled album. Mind over Matter explores the great range of musical possibilities. This is evident in the varied vocal range and textures showcased by lead vocalist, Sameer Gadhia, in this album.

However this album is far from a cocky display of skill. It is reminiscent of the 1970 punk-rock approach to music; a complete disregards for normative structures in rock in the pursuit of enjoying music. Perhaps Young the Giant dishes up a much more polished pursuit, with a much greater tolerance for melodic tune, but in the spirit of punk rock nevertheless.

I believe all musicians should explore music as a wonder in its own right rather than being boxed in by genres and corporate identities. Unfortunately it's the epoch of short attention spans, buying power and marketing antics.

Which makes it all the more refreshing to be wooed by a musical adventure like Young the Giant's Mind over Matter that demands your time.

Which might also be reason why Young the Giant doesn't dominate the commercial market, because I see no other reason why they should not.