Mind Noise Network
Young Guns -
Ones And Zeros
by Aimée Thomson - 7 June 2015
Three years after the release of their second album Bones, Young Guns are set to release their third album Ones and Zeros. It’s been a tough wait for fans, with the band confirming they were recording, then scrapping the album and starting again. However the hard work over the years has paid off, after a lengthy time over in The States the band have been busy headlining stages across the UK, stopping to do a show on a bus Wednesday evening, and being nominated for a Kerrang award.
After being leaked online, Ones and Zeros has received mixed reviews. It’s something different to the band’s first two albums, and very far from their original EP. But like a lot of bands, as their careers have changed the music has grown and developed into something new. This is never a bad thing in my opinion, when you put all your heart into writing, your writing will change as your heart does.
On the subject of writing from the heart, the album kicks off with the bands single Rising Up. The song is a perfect example of how the album will follow; it’s got a strong melody and poetic lyrics. It’s the sort of song that would play in the background of a movie where everyone is preparing for battle. Young Guns have a reputation for writing motivational songs and Rising Up does just that.
What follows is the first single from Ones and Zeros, I Want Out, which was originally released in August 2014. Much like Rising Up, I Want Out is easy to sing along to and will be stuck in your head for a very long time. Having seen the band previously open shows with this song, the instrumental at the start is my favourite the band have written to this date. An isolated piano plays the chorus chords, it’s a simple melody that speaks one thousand words.
Infinity is the bands most recent single. Lyrically, it’s a song that’s more reflective than the previous two tracks. While it’s not a dance round your living room kind of song, it’s definitely a classic Young Guns ballad-style track.
Memento Mori is my favourite track from the album. It’s a perfect example of how different this album is from the rest of the bands work. It’s upbeat, despite the dark lyrics and the instrumentation and vocals come together, showcasing the bands increasing talent. Of all the tracks on the album, after seeing the band play Soho’s Madam JoJos this was the song I was most excited to hear again.
In February this year Speaking In Tongues was released and it has been nominated for ‘best single’ in the upcoming Kerrang awards. It’s clear why the song is a popular choice, the lyrics are relatable and delivered in a convincing way. Much like the first two tracks, it’s the sort of song that makes you sing, fist pump and jump around, despite not actually being at a live show.
Ones And Zeros is full of deep lyrics and well written, uplifting music. Following 2012’s Bones was always going to be a challenge, but the band clearly embraced that and, by changing the music, have made something that is brand new. Each track on Ones And Zeros has been carefully crafted, and well worth the wait.
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