The Youth Play give all or nothing with their poignant new EP ‘someday, forever’
EP REVIEW | THE YOUTH PLAY – SOMEDAY, FOREVER by Heather Swift
Forged against all odds with boundless passion and a message that fails to be silenced, The Youth Play’s latest EP, entitled someday, forever, stands for all that the music industry should be right now: fearless, unapologetic and vibrantly diverse.
At the helm of this powerful four-piece is Latin American migrant and former environmental scientist Diego Bracho, who traded in his 9-to-5 for a career on the stage in the hopes of sparking meaningful change. Now based in London after the four members crossed paths during their studies at the ICMP, The Youth Play blends Latin Pop and Americana Rock with British shoegaze and heavier tones, conjuring a dynamic soundscape that defies continental borders and flawlessly contrasts light with dark.
With brushstrokes of dreamy guitar licks, intricate drum patterns and haunting vocals, someday, forever paints a vivid portrait of an uncertain future, showing delicate beauty amidst the rageful chaos of the modern world. At times with an indie warmth, other times with the rough edges of a more grunge-y production, the EP’s tracklist is dynamic and diverse, with each track revealing a new strand of the band’s DNA. Fans of The Cure’s dreamy compositions or the striking storytelling of Fontaines D.C. will find themselves very at home within the soundscape of this EP, which blends realism with poetry and grounded with subtle notes of whimsy.
The Youth Play welcomes listeners to this new chapter with ‘Maybe This Was All For Us’, which instantly bursts to life in an eruption of sharp guitars and fast, crashing drums, setting a tone of radical honesty and fearless performance. The band’s more rugged post-punk influences are alive and thriving in this, though not without the band’s signature hazy embellishments. Led by dynamic and captivating vocal storytelling, ‘Maybe This Was All For Us’ dives headfirst into the conflicting mental health struggles that come with daily migrant life. As each day is a step closer to the potential expiration of Diego Bracho’s VISA in November, the fate of the band and its frontman swings in the balance of their success this summer, leaving the future uncertain and his mental strength stretched to the absolute limit.
Next up is ‘A Fair Life’, a powerful depiction of a not-so-unfamiliar climate and social decay, calling the world to action against our own seemingly inescapable downfall. Its lyrical prose dances cleverly between breathtaking poetics and bleak realism, offering a vivid glimpse into our potential future of environmental deterioration and endless inequality.
“This is not a song, nor a public announcement – we’re just here to make amends.” Diego declares with a daring edge as the first line of ‘If We Just Ever Were’, presenting both a striking song opening and a fitting mission statement for the EP as a whole. The song continues at this height of energy, balancing rage with empowerment against crashing instrumentals. Following this path is ‘Straight Line’, which showcases a more mellow side of The Youth Play while simultaneously maintaining the same fiery passion and drive that echoes throughout their discography.
The EP’s title track brings the tempo down to a much more somber note with a display of existential dread against a backdrop of haunting background vocals and distant, echoing instrumentals. In contrast to the higher octane of many of their other songs, ‘Someday, Forever’ ponders on these issues with a more delicate, airy, but equally striking resonance – questions like “Will I be young forever, instead of growing old?” asked with careful curiosity into a dark, endless abyss.
Coming in with a sharp, chiming guitar lick slightly reminiscent of Nirvana’s ‘Come As You Are’, the EP closes with the dark and dreamy ‘Last Day On Earth’, leaving an eerie lasting impression on the ears of listeners. Equal parts dreary and inspiring, ‘Last Day On Earth’ – and indeed the EP as a whole – encourages us to try and thrive amongst the dangerous chaos of our current circumstances. You may not be driving the car, but why not enjoy the radio and backseat views as you drive through these treacherous roads.
And with that, someday, forever signifies another striking landmark within The Youth Play’s soundscape, each member channeling their absolute everything into this powerful showcase against all odds.
someday, forever is out now – listen here.
The Youth Play will be celebrating the release with an intimate launch party at London’s Mascara Bar on 29th August – tickets available now.
