News Youth Lagoon

Comparisons for Youth Lagoon are going to range from Perfume Genius to Gem Club; emotions pointed frontwards; a very un-obstructed, earnest portrayal from a singer-songwriter crippled by honesty. That’s the appeal of all three acts mentioned above – yet Youth lagoon remind me also of acts we’ve enjoyed watching evolve recently: Cloud Nothings, Toro Y Moi, Crystal Stilts – going from scuzzy, under-produced but likeable songs to a more pristine, polished sound. At least, you can be certain that were Youth Lagoon aka. Trevor Powers to undergo a similar journey to the aforementioned, he’d come out with one hell of an album.

‘Cannons’ is the song that makes you think this: all the elements plummeted into this fairly simple song have a certain amount of rough edges from the low-budget production (the song was recorded in a four-car garage – helping to produce this somewhat unique sound). Give it a boost, a certain gloss – not overdone necessarily, but just a gentle shove into more smooth-sounding territory – and you’d get a magnificent song. For what it is now, ‘Cannons’ is the song for scouting producers to drool over – ideas will flood into their head on how to improve it.

Powers, based in Idaho, has that magic touch. He gives you this very assured sense – like all artists in DIY’s ‘First On’ section ought to – that he’s destined for something rather huge. Capable of improving but dazzling in his current state, Youth Lagoon is a project to wear your ‘thinking hat’ to; within these delicate offerings of emotional pop is a star and it’ should be plain for all to see. Now, it’s just a case of how to expose this fact to the world.

Cannons by Youth Lagoon