By Scott Hays
Social Youth Cult unleash their debut album, The Lighthouse, on November 2nd; a dark and raw listening experience that violently assaults the senses. This record is a definitive statement of intent. A stark, dark and refreshingly real journey that captures the profound disillusionment of their generation. It’s immediately clear that Social Youth Cult, a group of 20-something’s from Newcastle upon Tyne were born in the wrong decade, reinventing the classic 1980s’ visceral gothic post-punk sound, and channeling the icy detachment of their forebears with an urgent, contemporary intensity. Close your eyes and you can instantly hear elements of Bauhaus, Nick Cave, and early Joy Division.
The album’s eight tracks are all potential singles, yet the band have chosen to release only a solitary single from the album. In a time where drip feeding entire albums of singles onto social media and streaming platforms in order to trick the algorithm is the norm this classic approach is refreshingly simple. The single Close To Nothing stands out. It is instantly memorable, has utterly bleak lyrics and provides a distilled view of the band’s DNA.
Throughout the album, the guitars are sharp and intensely angular, cutting through the mix with calculated malice. This isn’t just aimless noise; there’s a disciplined urgency to the chaos, reflecting a genuine frustration with the modern world. The rhythm section, in particular, proves to be the true engine of this record. It’s driven by drums that can only be described as rabid and frenzied, providing a relentless, hypnotic pulse that holds the listener captive. The bass snarls like a barely contained wild animal providing a muscular drive to the ongoing noise. Beneath the surface rage, the vocal melodies are cold and haunting filled with focused rage, clinging in the memory long after the final note fades.
The duality of calculated dread and raw, explosive energy elevates Social Youth Cult far above mere tribute. They have captured the alienation of their predecessors from yesteryear while making the sound urgently relevant for today. ‘The Lighthouse’ will be looked back upon in years to come as a seminal release.
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