It’s been nearly five years since Youth Group blessed us with new material with their brilliant album ‘Australian Halloween’ (see my review here), and even that album broke a ten year drought. While not exactly prolific (not helped by the geographical distance that existed between members), the band has not been idle in the intervening time, with, for example, singer/songwriter Toby Martin has undertaken a number of solo projects (including 2021’s ethereal ‘I Felt The Valley Lifting’, reviewed here) and bassist Patrick Matthews formed the delightful supergroup Victoria (see my review of their debut album here).
The band is back and they haven’t succumbed to lethargy or indolence in their approach, they haven’t resorted to restructuring old formats in a different way to achieve the same result. New track ‘Siberia’ represents an entirely new approach: eschewing to a degree the signature jingle jangle sweetness, they have gone all motorik and electronic, introducing a vibrancy and bounce that defenstrates you on first listen. The ship has veered towards the same lanes shared with bands like New Order, The Beloved and Underground Lovers – mixing organic and ethereal elements with sheer brute force electronica in a sweet and cathartic mix. The track was originally written by Martin and NYC-based musician and DJ MING – the two met while doing a house swap on Craig’s List – and indicates Martin has no hesitation in exploring new sonic landscapes.
A pounding insistent drum from Danny Lee Allen supports Matthews’s ambulant roaming bass lines giving the track a forward motion – restless and powerful. Both Martin and Paul Murphy continue to contribute the shimmering guitars but somewhere there is an added frisson of a fresh new sound.
Of the course the thing that makes Youth Group so distinctive – the dulcet and velvet tones of Martin – ensure this is their own unique creation irrespective of the new direction or detectable influences: it is Youth Group with a chemically enhanced boost: potent and intelligent dance music with the same achingly beautiful melancholic thread running throughout:
I need another chance before you send me to Siberia
The track comes with a beautifully shot video directed by Michael Klattenhoff mixing an enigmatic band performance with scenes from a melancholic existence that involves a rebirth, and ultimately resilience: a fitting analogy for the band itself:
‘Siberia’ is out now through Impressed Recordings/Goldmans and available to download and stream here. You can also order it in vinyl here with b-side track ‘When I Was’.
Recorded with the legendary Wayne Connolly, an album is expected in 2025.
In the meantime, Youth Group returned to the live scene with a spectacular gig in Melbourne last weekend (see my review here) supporting the legendary Underground Lovers. The tour continues this week in Sydney and Brisbane. The live delivery of ‘Siberia’ was one of many highlights – proving the band can deliver their new direction with aplomb.
Tour Dates – with Undergrounds Lovers – 30th Anniversary Celebration
Fri 2 Aug // Manning Bar // Sydney
Fri 9 Aug // The Brightside // Brisbane
Feature Photograph: Nicole Le Bris
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