Sunlit Youth [LP]

by Local Natives

Overview

Local Natives' sophomore LP, 2013's Hummingbird, took a moderately darker, more atmospheric turn, reflecting a period of personal loss for the group. Things are looking up on their follow-up, Sunlit Youth. The band's typically detailed arrangements, often noted for their multi-part harmonies and Afro-pop rhythms, get a boost from electronics here that's apparent from track one, "Villainy." A slice of pure synth pop led by shimmering textures and mechanical drums, its vocal harmonies and wafting melody still mark it theirs, as do the song's evolving rhythms. A later entry, "Psycho Lovers," has a stronger guitar presence, but also more of that synth sound on a chorus ready for the arena, along with enthusiastic beats reinforced by claps. The slinkier "Coins" incorporates funk and R&B-styled vocals while remaining in the realm of danceable synth pop. Taking a different sort of excursion, the more yearning "Everything All at Once" has a piano intro, then horn voices, eventual strings, and drums that fade in on cue and continue to play with dynamics. Also more off-kilter is "Jellyfish," a living-room recording with a mix of irregular percussion, bell tones, harmonized vocals, and sound effects that include pouring cereal. The overall tone of the album, though, is poppy and bright. While in the process of embracing more electronics they lose a bit of their organic warmth, particularly compared to their debut, Local Natives hang on to a significant amount of their quirkiness and rhythmic flair. It's a trade-off that, in this case, should favor the concert venues without ruffling the feathers of those in it for a sweet refrain. ~ Marcy Donelson

Product Details

Release Date:	09/09/2016
Label:	Loma Vista
UPC:	0888072003873
Rank:	35608

Tracks

1. Villainy
2. Past Lives
3. Dark Days
4. Fountain of Youth
5. Masters
6. Jellyfish
7. Coins
8. Mother Emanuel
9. Ellie Alice
10. Psycho Lovers
11. Everything All at Once
12. Sea of Years

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Local Natives   Primary Artist
Nina Persson   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Bob Ludwig   Mastering
David Gaume   Engineer
Brian Joseph   Engineer,Producer
Lars Stalfors   Engineer,Producer
Rob Kirwan   Engineer
Shawn Everett   Mixing,Engineer
Eduardo De La Paz   Mixing
Rouble Kapoor   Engineer
Local Natives   Composer,Producer,String Arrangements
Ryan Hahn   Composer,Engineer
Kelcey Ayer   Composer
Matthew Frazier   Composer
Taylor Rice   Composer
Ryan Whalley   A&R
Nik Ewing   Composer
Matt Frazier   Composer
Michael Harris   Engineer