It has been almost two long years since Dominic Harrison, known by most of the world as YUNGBLUD, has released a full-length album. However, on Friday, Sept. 2, the wait was over, because YUNGBLUD released his self-titled LP, and it is unlike any of his previous releases. The whole album seems to be heavily influenced by British musicians of the 1980s, with the second track, “Tissues” even sampling The Cure’s “Close to Me!” In this album he also shows a more emotional side of himself, conveying that he too struggles with mental health issues and being in the spotlight.
The album starts with the first track and single “The Funeral.” If you are feeling insecure about yourself, whether that be your physical appearance or your personality, this song is a love letter to those insecurities. Who cares about your self-doubts? They do not define who you are. If people judge you solely on those characteristics, then they do not need to be in your life.
One song that does not exactly mesh with the other songs on the album is “I Cry 2.” The overall message of the song fits with those of the album, but the sound simply does not. YUNGBLUD should have avoided such use of auto-tune, as it does nothing for him. It will be interesting to hear how this song will sound acoustic or when performed live. Will he nix the autotune? One can only hope.
One of the standout songs is the seventh track, “Sweet Heroine.” It’s a beautiful song about needing someone to hold you together when you’re really going through it. This is the song you listen to when you’ve been hurt by one too many people and you just need that one person who can be the light at the end of the tunnel.
Two songs that will grow on you after a couple of listens are “Sex Not Violence” and “Don’t Go.” The first is about opening up, whether it be in an emotional or sexual context. It’s the perfect song to play if you want to listen to something liberating, with the nostalgia of the 1980s. The second is about struggling to commit to someone, even though you love them. He sings, “Fine then / I guess we’re all out of time / When I say, ‘Fuck you,’ I’m lying / I don’t want you to go, go.” If you have been hurt by an ex, you will be able to relate to the lyrics of this song. It can be extremely difficult to let someone in after a tough breakup.
“Die for a Night” will have listeners contemplating life. It’s the song you listen to alone on your bedroom floor after a night out, when you’re slightly intoxicated and cannot control the thoughts going through your head. YUNGBLUD sings, “I always wonder / What it would be like / If I could die for a night.” The lyrics illustrate his feelings of depression, as he questions how people would feel if he was no longer alive. Yet, YUNGBLUD ultimately realizes that he really has no fucking clue what he’s talking about.
After listening to the album’s full 33 minutes, listeners should be able to grasp that struggling is completely okay. You are not alone; you will be able to find peace. This new era in YUNGBLUD’s career is going to be an interesting one, and it looks like many of these songs will become fan favorites.
“YUNGBLUD” can be listened to on any streaming service or purchased anywhere CDs and vinyl are sold.
