You Me At Six are a band I've followed for many years. Since seeing 'Jealous Minds Think Alike' on Scuzz one day, the band captured my attention. Through all the pop rock acts out there at the time, these guys seemed to be just a step above. It's shown too, with each album gradually getting them more and more publicity. Debut 'Take Off Your Colours' peaked in the charts at number 25, whilst sophomore effort 'Hold Me Down' crashed in at number 5. In 2011, YMAS knew that the 3rd album would make or break them, and they did not disappoint. Unleashing 'Sinners Never Sleep' in October, the album debuted at Number 3, having spent most of the week at Number 1. This propelled them to headline Wembley Arena, for the 'Final Night of Sin'. Not bad for 5 guys still in their early 20s. This has all built up to the release of their 4th album. 'Cavalier Youth' will really show where YMAS are in terms of writing and in terms of public interest.
Opening with 'Too Young to Feel This Old', the band sound tight and Josh Franceschi's vocals are front and centre. YMAS have always been adept at writing massive choruses and this carries on throughout the album. Lead single 'Lived a Lie' is next and is the type of song that could be played at football games over the tannoy. A huge chorus and slick playing, this is an early highlight and a great choice for a lead single. Charting at number 11 upon it's release, it's the band's highest charting single in their history.
Despite being a 'pop rock' band, YMAS have shown that they can get mean and heavy before. Their very early material involved a lot of screamo and 'Sinners Never Sleep' featured two metal vocalists (Oli Sykes of Bring Me the Horizon & Winston McCall of Parkway Drive). Though not as heavy as those two songs, nor anything on SNS, they do crank up the volume on 'Room To Breathe' one of my standout songs of the album. The guitars do most of the work on the song, guiding the song through the verses and then hitting overdrive on the chorus. 'Fresh Start Fever' and 'Love Me Like You Used To' are notable highlights if you're looking for heavier material, whilst 'Win Some, Lose Some' has a great repetition verse which is waiting to be screamed at festivals.
'Be Who You Are' may be the shortest song on the album, but it's without doubt, one of the bands finest ever songs. Franceschi's vocals are impeccable and really show off the range he possesses as a vocalist. 'Hope For The Best' gives off a Jimmy Eat World vibe and is another personal highlight of the album. 'Wild Ones' closes the album off with another chorus which will be a highlight at live shows, with a massive refrain waiting to blow the roof off the arenas.
Overall this is a great album and is a great entry into their live set. There are some queries though. The band knew that their fans would've accepted a heavier side and whilst this album will gain new fans, they run the risk of alienating some of the SNS fans. Along with this, the album does miss the massive ballad that has become a trademark of theirs. On the 3 previous albums, there were a massive ballad in 'Always Attract', 'Fireworks' & 'Crash'. Cavalier Youth, I feel, would benefit from a massive love singalong song, in the same vein as these. Sinners Never Sleep set them on the path to stardom. While Cavalier Youth will be seen as the springboard to send them into superstardom, it makes me wonder where they will go next. And as a band, intrigue is something which can be priceless. I'll be in attendance at Alexandra Palace to see YMAS and I'm excited to see the new songs played live. I'm more excited to see where this album will lead them to, en route to the next one.
Rating: 8/10
Key Tracks: Room To Breathe, Lived A Lie, Be Who You Are
