Album Review: You Me At Six – SUCKAPUNCH
2 min read
You Me At Six have just released their seventh studio album, the rock-pop hybrid have produced some brilliant music in their career thus far and unlike many bands who have achieved the success they have, they only seem to be getting better over time.
SUCKAPUNCH manages to beautifully intertwine the emotional elements of streamlined punk rock so prominent in early You Me At Six albums, alongside new and innovative sounding productions which avoid the strict boundaries of genre.
Their sound remains raw and with as much weight as ever. Opening track; Nice To Me excited me instantly. It has those sassy vocals with an ever consistent guitar close behind. It is amazing that a band has stood the test of time and kept their sound recognisable without becoming boring. This could be a track from their first album and that similarity will put this album in good stead amongst die-hard fans. Drummer Dan Flint finishes the track wonderfully, a short little drum solo; destined for the ending of a live performance I bet.
The twangy guitar focused opening of MAKEMEFEELALIVE builds a short, shouty almost opening interlude. It is a snappy song, quick and to the point.
The second single from the album Beautiful Way is the record’s most popular song so far. It’s opening gentle and relaxed before thumping up in tempo. The thud of a kickdrum simmers in the background, gaining momentum and volume.
SUCKAPUNCH shows some signs of acoustic development, its basis begins with a dance instrumental before it is blended to form a rock/dance kind of hybrid. Although I loved this experiment on first listen, on second third and fourth listen however, it begins to sound a little confused.
No You Me At Six album would be complete without a track which completely slows the entire flow of the record. A chance to take a breath from the rest of the chaos their music seems to bring, Glasgow is one of my favourite slow jams the band has ever produced. The longest track on the record ebs and flows, telling the story of a frustrated, fragile and failing relationship.
Amongst much musical goddess, the percussion is outstanding. Every track Flint not only features but stars. A great drummer is essential to any band and You Me at Six’s success is underpinned by theirs. The prominence of this perfect percussion is at its best towards the album’s conclusion.
The album concludes with its weakest track; What It’s Like which failed to excite me as much as the rest of the album.
In summary, we loved this album. I took a recent review to question the need of certain popular artists to deviate from what has gained them that popularity. You Me At Six have used subtle deviations from a tried and tested formula to produce a stellar and solid seventh album.
