Younghusband – Crystal EP

Younghusband - Crystal EP

By Antonio Tzikas

Combining solid pop sensibility with ’60s psychedelic, soul and fuzzy indie influences, younghusband release Crystal, their debut EP, through Sonic Cathedral this November. With only four songs on display, it’s a short, but sweet introduction to the London four-piece and a brilliant opening statement from the band, who have garnered a few celeb fans in the form of Jarvis Cocker, Guy Garvey and Marc Riley since their 2010 formation.

Now, I’ve not really been impressed with the crop of new records coming out of London that I’ve been given to review over the past year or so – it seems like there’s something wrong, it’s all gone a bit stale and I just feel that at the moment, there isn’t anything exciting going on that’s worth getting worked up about. That outlook on the scene seemed to disintegrate as soon as the feedback at the beginning of opening track ‘Tropic of Cancer’ was joined by the two note riff and subtle acoustic strumming, and by the time the pre-chorus comes in with the “and when she dances” bit, my search for a decent answer to the perpetual question “So, heard any decent new bands lately?” had come to an end.

Each of the four tracks showcases a different angle of the overall sound of younghusband. ‘Constantly in Love’ takes on a slower Spector pop style rhythm and vibe, whilst keeping the distorted organ drone that runs throughout the EP and characterises the record’s sound – immaculately arranged pop songs given a purposefully rough and ready production value which conjures up notions of the authenticity and sincerity associated with lo-fi recording and adds to the appeal of the music. Closer ‘Reunion Message’ is the longest track on the record and is driven forward by a krautrock style motorik beat and pulsing bassline, pioneered by Neu! and Faust and popularised again in recent years by likes of The Horrors and CAVE. Younghusband’s take on the krautrock formula is backed with light wisps of vocals and organ flourishes that keep the track interesting and make for a decent final track on what is by all accounts a great EP.

The band’s talent and aesthetic style are on show in equal measures here, a brilliant and interesting mixture of tracks make up the perfect showcase of younghusband and leave me anticipating the debut full length with some expectation.

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