SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: YOUNG EMPIRES – THE GATES

Young Empires
The Gates
Pirates Blend Records

It’s been three years since its debut EP Wake All My Youth, and Young Empires returns to us with its anthemic electro-pop in a full-length album, The Gates. However, Young Empires’ experimental synth sound showcases something heavier and more rock.

The first three tracks start the album off strong:

“Mercy” and the first single off the album, “The Gates,” gradually rope you into something familiar, deep, and danceable. “So Cruel” is soulful and uplifting.

Young Empires steps away from its usual sound with something more melodic and a heavier chorus in “Ghosts.” The album continues to get heavier as it progresses. “Never Die Young” is the heaviest track with a headbanging chorus; overall it feels unnatural for the group.

The Gates is definitely a more eclectic album for Young Empires. The heavier “haute” rock certainly indicates a maturity of the band, but it also sounds a bit unnatural. Perhaps the large gap between their works hasn’t allowed fans to grow with them and it’s hard not to expect the lighter and more upbeat anthemic sounds of their EP three years ago.

– Raquel Dreesen (Twitter @raquelmaxine)