Youth Fountain - ‘Together in Lonesome ’ review
Youth Fountain by Alex Bemis
Youth Fountain’s third album Together in Lonesome is a testament to Tyler Zanon’s perseverance, facing the trials he’s faced in recent years and transforming them into this latest release. Coping with the death of a significant other and challenging the overwhelming negative feelings that have plagued him, Youth Fountain’s latest record is ‘a dark love story album’. The record explores his experiences in life and love, unpacking what it means to feel insufficient.
Together in Lonesome ‘feels like closure’ for Zanon, who had to revisit the past to produce several of the album’s tracks, he pulled fragments from uncompleted work and previous musical endeavours. Other tracks, however, were brand new inventions, a more recent perspective. To do this, Zanon was forced to confront the events of his last decade; the emotional trials he has faced. Yet, in listening to the album there is no sense of revisiting the past, the emotions are just as real and current with each listen - his torn, distressed vocals assert a depth of feeling that is as if it is happening currently.
Fans of Zanon knew to expect more of his lyrical prowess and he does not disappoint. Tracks such as “Fallen Short” or “A Few Notes for Orpheus” are perfect examples of his classic poeticism. The latter is a nod to the classical tale of lamenting and the forced, painful separation from a lover. The track begins with isolated guitar that crashes into a powerful drum section that reflects the sudden onset of painful feeling. ‘You're just someone now in my rearview/ When I look behind I see our love that ended too soon’ these final lines are heart-wrenching. A loved one becomes ‘just someone’, an unfamiliar person you have no choice but to leave behind. Orpheus’ tale is retold and relived with all the pain and sorrow of its original telling.
“Identical Days”, one of the tracks developed new for this release, and “Twin Flame”, a song transformed from earlier work, are both equally good examples of Youth Fountain avoiding predictability while still flexing a common, shared sound that ties the record together. The sound is constantly shifting, littered with breaks, pauses, and isolated instruments. Listeners are constantly engaged, the tracks cleverly avoiding running into each other, an easy trap for musicians to fall into.
“Roses in my Backpack” exemplifies pop punk at its best. Desperate, painful lyrics laid over an upbeat track: “It's a curse that I'm still awake / Nothing could help set me free / But the thought to hang myself from the tallest tree.” Hopelessness, frustration, and suffering are each made painfully clear in the verse while the clever guitar riffs, isolated vocals, and punchy, powerful drums seem to tell a much livelier, upbeat story. The contrast depicts the stark difference between one’s internal conflict and their outward demeanour; the suffering behind the mask.
One of the defining successes of this album is its intricate drumming. The patterns are never monotonous, constantly subverting expectations and always highlighting the vocals. The guitar playing similarly boasts brilliant, melodic riffs as Zanon plays, arguably, the best he has yet.
Overall, the album is an excellent showcase of what can be achieved in the face of adversity. The production value is a massive improvement on his last album and fans are finally able to appreciate Tyler’s talent in clear, authentic tones. Together in Lonesome tackles the harder challenges life may throw at you and will allow many listeners to feel seen, heard, and known.
Together in Lonesome from Youth Fountain is out now via Pure Noise Records and available on all good streaming platforms. Catch Youth Fountain on tour in the US this November with Story Of The Year.