After releasing a fantastic 7″ last year, 80s-inspired Gold & Youth return with “Jewel,” the gorgeous first single off of their debut full-length, Beyond Wilderness.
The throbbing synths and the pulsing drumbeat create a gloomy, almost ominous atmosphere. Yet Louise Burns‘ melancholy, airy vocals and hopeful lyrics (“I know I’ll never feel a little bit afraid, the lies you told me are not that great”) give the song a sense of optimism, even relief.
When the deep, male vocals come in during the final third, I can really hear the Depeche Mode influences and how “Jewel” could easily sit alongside Chromatics and Kavinsky on the Drive soundtrack.
Vancouver natives, the band signed to fellow Canadian Kevin Drew’s Arts & Crafts label (home to Broken Social Scene, Feist, Timber Timbre, and so many other great bands). Their album Beyond Wilderness is out now. Follow the band on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Image by Michelle Ford