Album Review: Young Statues - 'Flatlands Are Your Friend'

It may have gone under the radar a little bit but Young Statues 2011 self-titled debut was a brilliant record that featured honest song-writing from a young band who had a penchant for melody and dynamics. With their follow-up 'Flatlands Are Your Friend' it is clear that a couple of years experience has helped to refine the band's varied sound whilst giving their song-writing that all to inevitable sense of maturity.

Opening song Natives roots the band in their indie rock with a heavy dose of 80's synth rock over the top of it, completely unexpected but delightfully perfect, the band seem comfortable in this mash of genres which they have made their own. Interestingly, and whether intentional or not, the group are knocking down the two most popular pins on the alternative circuit at the moment and they seem to be doing it without trying too hard or sacrificing their identity, almost as if their natural progression just happens to fit the required mould of today's popular music.

This is of course not to say that the lads don't still have some rock n' roll in them as the swelling guitars and pounding drums of Run The River Dry explain. It's a gentle build but one with power, the Jesse Lacey-inspired vocal sounds and melodies cut through the delayed guitars and driving percussion as the song slowly builds. The guitars are still very much a driver in the sound, albeit offset by some interesting drum patterns such as the off hit compilation of Got The Knife in which the percussion steals the limelight away from the gentle vocals with support from the jangly guitar lines.

The record mellows out as it moves into it's second act, the electronic beat driven Further Away is a nice change in tones and a beautifully sad little song. The pace lifts slightly for Flatlands (pt. 2) without the exertion of too much energy before the gentle guitar lines tussle with the vocal melody in perfect harmony on White Noise.

The record closes with Strangers In A Dream, a brighter number which sounds similar to the work on the band's debut, a reminder of where they came from in an otherwise brilliant example of where they are going.

Young Statues need a little bit more attention, they have released two really great records now and still seem relatively unknown. 'Flatlands Are Your Friend' is a record that will appeal to many if it is given the chance, and is worthy of the exposure.

1. Natives

2. Run The River Dry

3. Don’t Fight The Mirage

4. Got The Knife

5. No Shadow

6. Flood

7. Further Away

8. Flatlands (pt. 2)

9. Ain’t A Bad Thing To Lose

10. White Noise

11. Strangers In A Dream