Album Review: Youth Lagoon - Savage Hills Ballroom
By Van Williams, Contributor
[Fat Possum; 2015]
Rating: 4/5
Key Tracks: “Highway Patrol Stun Gun,” “The Knower,” “Again”
Nothing is more refreshing than a band that keeps making new material. Not just new records, but material that all sounds different from what has been put out before. Youth Lagoon has always been a solo project of Trevor Powers, one mind behind everything. As Powers’ personality and psyche have evolved from record to record so has his music, and Savage Hills Ballroom reflects that.
This record massively expands on Powers’ previous lo-fi indie dream-pop sound. Opening strongly with “Officer Telephone,” you are immediately greeted with a pretty, fully produced sound. Quickly this slides into one of the strongest tracks from the album, “Highway Patrol Stun Gun.” No longer is Powers’ voice drenched in reverb; he shows off far more vocal chops here than before. He does continue his use of odd synth tones, giving the record a very full sound. Lyrically, “Highway Patrol Stun Gun” is the most impressive song on the record.
“The Knower” is over the top, accompanied by a beautiful horn section and is an absolute must listen. Overall this record might not flow as well as previous Youth Lagoon works, but certain tracks definitely stand out more, and Youth Lagoon has taken an impressive step forward in his career with Savage Hills Ballroom.
