Echoes (Young Guns album)
Echoes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 16 September 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2016 | |||
Studio | House of Loud | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 37:22 | |||
Label | Wind-up Records | |||
Producer | David Bendeth | |||
Young Guns chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Echoes | ||||
|
Echoes is the fourth studio album by
Background
After releasing their third studio album, Ones and Zeros, in June 2015, and wrapping up touring in support of it in October, the band found itself at a difficult juncture.[3] After the success of their release Bones, largely based on the immense success of the track "Bones", the band, shooting for even larger mainstream success, instead stumbled; Ones and Zeros had a lengthy, troubled recording time, and the release stalled commercially.[3] The band convened in October to debate whether or not members wanted to go on with the band.[3] The result was near unanimous; all members wanted to push forward full force with the exception of drummer Ben Jolliffe, who instead wanted to focus on his family life at home.[4] The end result of the discussion was for the band to part ways with their drummer of seven years.[5] The split was still amicable for Jolliffe, with the band just releasing a statement that he wanted to move in a "different direction" than the rest of the band.[6][7] He was replaced by new drummer, Chris Kamrada.[8] Rather than be discouraged by the removal of the member and friend, the band used it as motivation to immediately start work on a fourth studio album.[5]
Writing and recording
Contrary to the lengthy two years writing and recording sessions for Ones and Zeros, which was extended due heavy touring and changing of record producers mid-way of the sessions, the sessions for Echoes were far quicker.
Composition and themes
Wood described the album as a return to the melodic, guitar-driven,
Mirroring the recording sessions, the band described the album's theme as being about "letting go of the past and moving on towards a brighter future."
Release and promotion
Prior to the album's release, the band promoted the album's upcoming release in touring as part of the 2016 iteration of the
Critical reception
The album was generally well received by critics. New Noise magazine praised the album for focusing on the rock elements more than Ones and Zeros had, but criticized the a number of the slower, softer songs, like "Paradise" towards the end of the album.[21] Similarly, Upset magazine praised the move away from Ones and Zero's "arena rock" sound in favor of focusing on a more guitar-driven sound, calling it "exciting, dark, and driven".[22] Cryptic Rock praised the band for finding "the balance between their heavier days and their more recent electronic textured alternative sounds", resulting in a " indefinable and compelling something" that "set the tracks apart from the alternative rock old story".[2] Bring the Noise praised the album as well, stating that despite the fact that it was softer than their earlier material, like that found on All Our Kings Are Dead, Echoes felt more polished than their prior releases, stating that "Each song is as anthemic as the last, by combining the better aspects of their previous three albums: with the more electronic feel of Ones and Zeros combined with the huge-sounding guitars and strong lyrics of their first two albums, they’ve managed to deliver an album that’s positively oozing with potential singles...there is some pretty conclusive proof that Young Guns are experts at writing innately catchy music."[13] Volume praised the release as an album that is both diverse and unique, creating a sound that grows on the listener over time.[14]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Bulletproof" | 3:05 |
2. | "Echoes" | 3:26 |
3. | "Careful What You Wish For" | 3:29 |
4. | "Paranoid" | 3:13 |
5. | "Mad World" | 2:54 |
6. | "Awakening" | 3:52 |
7. | "Living in a Dream Is So Easy" | 3:20 |
8. | "Buried" | 3:21 |
9. | "Mercury in Retrograde" | 3:21 |
10. | "Paradise" | 3:31 |
11. | "Afterglow" | 3:50 |
Total length: | 37:22 |
Personnel
- Young Guns
- Gustav Wood – lead vocals
- Fraser Taylor – lead guitar
- John Taylor – rhythm guitar
- Simon Mitchell – bass guitar
- Chris Kamrada – drums, percussion[6]
- Production
- David Bendeth – production
- Stevie Aiello – composer on "Mad World"
- Josh Strock – composer on "Mad World"[24]
Charts
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
Scottish Albums (OCC)[25] | 36 |
UK Albums (OCC)[26] | 40 |
References
- ^ a b "Young Guns: Echoes". Shockwave Magazine. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ a b c Becker, Sascha (7 September 2016). "Young Guns – Echoes (Album Review)". crypticrock.com. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ a b c d "The Changing of the Guard". Kerrang!. 7 September 2016. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Oswald, Derek (17 July 2016). "Warped Tour '16 – AltWire Interview – Gus of Young Guns". AltWire. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Johnson, Colleen (25 August 2016). "Interview: Young Guns chats their new record 'Echoes'!". New England Sounds. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- ^ a b "Young Guns Reveal New Album Details – Kerrang!". Kerrang.com. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ a b Ralph, Caitlyn (25 May 2016). "Young Guns part ways with drummer, have finished fourth album". Altpress.com. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ "Young Guns premiere Bulletproof lyric video". Teamrock.com. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ Roda-Stuart, Adriana (25 August 2016). "Young Guns Talk "Echoes"". ARTISTdirect Interviews. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017.
- ^ a b c d Wellendorf, Kiley (1 June 2016). "Young Guns premiere first single from upcoming album—listen". Altpress.com. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ EmmaLouise (15 September 2016). "Album Review: Young Guns- Echoes". backseatmafia.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016.
- ^ "Album Review: Young Guns – Echoes". soundfiction.net. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ a b Laws, Emily. "ALBUM REVIEW: Young Guns – Echoes". Bring The Noise UK. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ a b "Young Guns, 'Echoes'". Volume Magazine. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ a b Childers, Chad (24 August 2016). "Young Guns, 'Echoes' – Exclusive Song Premiere". Loudwire. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ Ralph, Caitlyn (22 June 2016). "Young Guns announce new album". Altpress.com. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ "YOUNG GUNS ANNOUNCE FORTHCOMING ALBUM "ECHOES" DUE SEPTEMBER 16 – Music Injection". Musicinjection.com.au. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
- ^ "Young Guns announce new album 'Echoes'". Diymag.com. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ "Young Guns Release New Single, "Mad World"". Alternativeaddiction.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017.
- ^ "Stream Young Guns' New Album Echoes – Kerrang!". kerrang.com. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Album Review: Young Guns – 'Echoes'". New Noise Magazine. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ Sanderson, Nariece (15 September 2016). "Young Guns – Echoes". Upsetmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017.
- ^ Stam, Janneke (22 June 2016). "Young Guns Announce New Album, 'Echoes'". Rocksound.tv. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ "Josh Strock – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
- ^ "Young Guns | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 24 September 2016.