Young Jesus - Welcome To Conceptual Beach (August 14, 2020; Saddle Creek) Album • Page 5

This is goddamn incredible

 

I listened to this last night after never really listening to the band before. I thought the first 3 songs were pretty stunning. Faith in particular had me captivated. Beyond that, I don’t know. I thought a lot of moments here (particularly on the last 2 songs) felt too open-ended and loose. There are brilliant moments on each song, but some of the wandering sections really lost me. I’m gonna listen again tomorrow, because I love the way people are talking about this, but right now I’d say half of this is almost perfectly executed and half really left me wanting more.

 

The “looseness” of this band is what I think makes them really special and unique for a lot of people, but it’s always been what’s made it difficult for me to get into them. That being said, I think this one has the best balance of really tight songwriting and sprawl. Every time I feel like they’re losing me, they bring me back in somehow.

 

I've listened four or five times now, and I still don't have a firm grasp on those last two tracks. There are some fantastic moments in there though, like the last minute and a half of "Magicians." Agreed that the first half of the album is pretty much perfect.

 

The twangy breakdowns in Lark >>>>>

 

My write-up on AM

 

I'm having my first listen and I must say that Meditations is incredible!

 

Pattern doubt truly is wild

 

Bare with me here ....

I don’t view zoning out or having my mind wander during the moments of “looseness” as a negative when it comes to this band. Where and what my mind wanders too becomes such an essential part of my listening experience as it allows these moments of deep introspection. And the way they will interweave those moments with the standard indie rock sections create very much a guided experience for me the listener .

 

Operation Make Young Jesus the Biggest Band in the World.

 

Basically this.

 

As a jam band fan, I love this take. The gradual, patient drop to pin drop quiet of Lark that segues into that beautiful back half is a perfect example.

 

So, I went from being unsure about the vocals during “Faith” but appreciating the musicianship, to feeling utterly blown away by “Meditations” and enjoying the ride. To me, this album is the wild, introspective segues of The Lonesome Crowded West meets Jeff Buckley. A combo I never imagined but so happy exists. Can’t wait to spend more time with this.

 

this is great and (un)knowing is clearly one of their best

however everything they've done leading up to this just suits my musical tastes better, specifically their old ways of improv vs those here. but i could just be uncultured swine ;)

 

Yeah this is ace

 

This album could not have come at a better time. wow

 

8.1 No BNM, I was gonna day 8.2 no BNM. Close. Would have preferred to see them elevated to the headline review in return. Wild Pink and Young Jesus destined to be underrated.

happy for them (though this and Whole Thing deserved BNM).

 

In constant rotation. Really not a wasted second on this thing.

 

I wrote a little bit about this:

Album Review: Young Jesus — Welcome to Conceptual Beach - The Alternative

 

A little late to the party but I listened to this yesterday and today and I’m blown away by how good it is. I remember liking their last album but I didn’t play it a ton and haven’t listened to it since it came out (gonna revisit). This album just sounds so fresh and not the type of album I knew I needed til I heard it.

 

Wow I've been sleeping on this bad boy, huh?

 

Will be in my AOTY discussion.

 

Still my second fav of the year, love it so much

 

Definitely one of my top albums of the year.

 

I slept on this for a long time but this is pretty great

Pattern Doubt, (un)knowing and Root and Crown are all fantastic