Album Review: Light Years – I’ll See You When I See You
2 min read
The eagerly anticipated second full length release from humble pop punk quartet Light Years has come in a neat 13-track collection. I’ll See You When I See You is an all too relatable record that shows the band departing from teen angst and bursting into a more matured style.
Opening I’ll See You When I See You is Are You Sure, a punchy tune that features all the elements you need for an energetic pop punk jam, electric guitar riffs, big drums and lyrics that offer a hint of angst. Keeping on with intense riffs and a steady drumbeat is belter Living In Hell. Bursting with a feisty attitude and lyrics that pack a punch, with Pat Kennedy warbling, “I’ve been trying to forget it but your face haunts the nightmare I’ve been living in” / “Can’t erase the stories your love can tell, oh it feels like I’ve been living in hell”.
Moving along to the deeper tracks, that ones that have more of a focus on somber themes we have Let You Down. Melodically it sounds pretty much the same as songs before it, but the reminiscent and sorrowful emotions are where it stands apart, with the line, “all I’ll ever be is someone who let you down” dominating the tune. Although it seems that bitterness and melancholy is where Light Years have found their voice, as closing out the album stays on a similar spectrum. With the short tune Funeral asking “You always say life is beautiful, will I see you at my funeral?” on a loop before shifting into the gloomy closer I Wish I Could seamlessly.
Where I’ll See You When I See You starts to lose itself is in the production, the almost fuzzy layer of empty sound leaves each song missing some final finesse. Overall it’s fine pop punk but it does feel a little defeated, with each track lacking dynamism much of the album sounds very similar. Lyrically though it does show a much more mature side to the genre, with the absence of teen angst for tunes that deal with healing scars left from coming of age
