ALBUM REVIEW: “The Year Of Hibernation” by Youth Lagoon

September 27. 2011 | By Frances Capell

Youth Lagoon
The Year Of Hibernation
[Fat Possum]

I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a new artist. It might have something to do with the fact that the man behind Youth Lagoon, 22-year old Trevor Powers, comes from my home town of Boise, Idaho, but something tells me I would have fallen in love with this album regardless of our common origin. Powers has generated some serious internet buzz since posting his first track as Youth Lagoon in May. His debut full-length, The Year Of Hibernation, proves him worthy of the hype.

The title of the album couldn’t be more appropriate; Powers recorded the dreamy collection of piano pop alone in his bedroom in Boise. The layers of piano, synthesizer, and looped guitars are arranged into painfully beautiful songs about anxiety and heartbreak. Brooks’ urgent, childlike voice rings out hauntingly over the tracks, conveying sensations of lonesomeness and longing. “Seventeen” is a heart-wrenching tribute to childhood innocence and wonder. “Daydream” tells the tale of eschewing real life for a world of fantasy. Every track on this debut is simply incredible. My only criticism of the highly addictive Year Of Hibernation is that you’ll want to listen to it over and over again.

Youth Lagoon – Montana from Tyler T Williams on Vimeo.

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