You Me At Six are a pop-punk, post-hardcore, alternative rock band. Formed in 2005 in Surrey the band consists of Josh James Alphonse Franceschi (Lead vocalist), Max Michael Helyer (Rhythm guitarist/Vocalist), Christopher James Miller (Lead guitarist), Matthew James Barnes (Bassist) and Daniel David Flint (Drummer/Percussionist). They are currently signed to Virgin Records and have released a total of 3 albums: Take off your colors (Slam Dunk Records - on the 6th of October 2008), Hold me down (Virgin Records – on the 11th of January 2010) and Sinners never sleep (Virgin Records - on the 3rd of October 2011).
This year has been a busy one for the boys of YMAS, filled with collaborations outside of their latest album as well as within it. They’ve released 2 new music videos this year: Rescue me with featured Chiddy Bang and Loverboy their first single off Sinners Never Sleep. To say that these boys have grown since their take off your color days would be a fitting assumption, all of us here at KidsInDoubt thought that it would be a great idea to do a review of their latest album, we love it so I’m going to tell you why:
Let me begin by saying that Sinners Never Sleep is hands down one of my all time favorites. Previous feelings towards their albums are nothing in comparison to the love I feel for this one, not to say the others weren’t amazing, but I have to say the boys of YMAS have outdone themselves with this one.
In an interview done by The Ark Preston the boys of YMAS said that when it came to deciding the name of their album “Sinners Never Sleep” they chose that specifically because to them they were confessing their sins, their openness on the album was more so and they felt as a band that lyrically they were being more honest. It was also said that they took a lot of time working on the record so its safe to say that the name is a reflection of the songs within it and the hard work the boys put into it.
The album has got to be the most varied yet in terms of their song ranges, going from heavy to laid back rock, musically it’s clear that they’ve become darker but I can’t say that I dislike this turn to the “heavier” rock side.
Lyrically the band has quite clearly proven that they’re not one for spewing meaningless and pointless bullshit. Having said that Franceschi backs up their words vocally with conviction and emotion so powerful you can help but FEEL their songs and it’s not just his sound that’s coming through it’s the whole package. No, their songs aren’t lyrically genius, but that’s just fine! YMAS are proof that songs don’t need to be poetically perfect, they can be blunt and just as effective.
The album is proof of the different directions the band are more than capable of going. A clear indication if any that YMAS are the real deal and their not going anywhere but up. These boys are the whole package; listeners can relate to their words and rock out to their amazing sound, what more could we possibly want?
The first single released from the album and ironically enough the only song the band confessed that didn’t mean anything. Its sole purpose was to lure people into the record with something that had the essence of YMAS said front man Franceschi, which just as ironically it did. If you readers and listeners are anything like all of us here at KidsInDoubt then you know just how excited we were when we heard this number. The song was a little taste of the Franceschi’s more aggressive vocal turn, it left you wanting more, needing more, begging for more. Its safe to say it did just what the band wanted it to do.
Jaws On The Floor
A continuation from the previous track in terms of its pace displaying the talent of the whole band musically backed up with lyrics given with attitude you cant help but love. Not only that but the words are a mixture of taunting and teasing, leaving us grinning and nodding in agreements with lines like “when you’re done maybe try a little listening” and “life’s a bitch, but I’m friends with her sister” don’t deny it, we can all relate.
Bite My Tongue Ft Oliver Sykes (of Bring Me The Horizon)
A collaboration we’ve all been waiting for! Lets be honest ever since the two began singing with each other live on tour you’ve been curious as to whether they’d make a track together. It seems that they’ve finally answered all our prayers and done the deed, finally. I can’t help but say its about bloody time, the track itself shows us a josh who’s darker and angrier than we’ve ever heard, with lines like “you wanna drag me down some more, fuck you.” It’s also the rawest of tracks because of the simple fact that it’s Franceschi telling all us listeners that YMAS do struggle, personally I feel its quite a relief that he’s written it and they’ve made it. Just goes to show their human, they fight, but at the end of the day they made it through all the bullshit.
A more calming but sad sound after the harsher tone of Bite My Tongue, a song about first loves, regrets and bitter lessons learned. Sung with a soothingly honest voice Franceschi and the rest of the boys manage to evoke emotions from listeners and create a bond between their experiences and just about anyone else in the world whose lost their first loves.
No One Does It Better *personal favorite
A heartfelt ballad with just the right amount of earnest and honest emotions. Like many others on their album it provides listeners with raw emotions and feelings I’m pretty sure plenty of people can relate to, it’s the type of song we’ve all been waiting for. Unlike their previous albums it shows us a whole other side we haven’t seen. “I woke up this morning with a grudge the size of your story which now I have told you all” a line which pretty much sums up to us just how open they’re being this time around. Not only is it beautifully sung but the soothing sound just adds to the amazing-ness of the song itself. The song is further evidence of the bands growth lyrically, musically and as a band.
“This is me talking to the dude upstairs and telling him we’re not getting along right now.”-Franceschi, a clear indication from lead vocalist himself of the struggles the band went through during the creation of their latest album. The song itself screams frustrations and sadness, if listeners are anything like me then you’ll know just how strongly emotions were felt when hearing the track. The fact that they’ve been able to create this and share it with us goes to show just how strong and open YMAS have become. Lines like “take me home, please take me home, take me somewhere I want to go” speak to us and show us that their human and that fights are inevitable within friendships, not only that but its pleading tone evokes sympathy and understanding.
Crash
Said to be the “firework” of the album by YMAS and another ballad continuing from no one does it better. Lyrically it’s soppy and sweet; a song made for people to relate to about relationships and love. Also its set handsomely with soothing strings and calming tunes that adds to the magic of the song as a whole.
Reckless
Originally called “Don’t hold you breath” then “The best you’ve never had” and finally it was settled as “Reckless”, interesting because each tells us more about the direction the band have gone. Paired with a playful sound it banters with listeners and again shows us a different side to the boys musically. Lines like “good luck with killing time, you wont be killing mine” clearly tells us that the band are going places and they’re not about to let anything stand in their way.
Time Is Money Ft Winston McCall (of Parkway Drive)
Most obviously the heaviest song on the album, harsh and to the point lyrically and hard and heavy musically. Vocally it comes as no surprise that it sounds darker, with singer McCall it was bound to happen, to add to that Franceschi and McCall’s voices though different go together really well. Though YMAS’s singer does get vocally aggressive it adds to the fact that the song works. Honestly what more is there to say than they’ve pulled it off quite swimmingly, that is their move towards a rockier sound.
Little Bit Of Truth
“I want to write a song that makes you smile” – mission accomplished if the song were addressed to all the thousands of YMAS fans, you sure as hell made me smile. Yet another example of the soft and soothing side to YMAS, it seems they never fail to show us that they go through everything we do. The fact that we all can relate to this just makes the song all the more likable. Lets be honest it’s a beautiful song, a mixture of honest words (as said so many times before) and amazing sound to go with it.
The Dilemma
Franceschi says that the song was inspired by when he was single and had 3 girls on the go at the same time; he then went onto suggesting it needed a burlesque video to go with it. The song itself is quite teasing and taunting lyrically and musically, showing a more playful Franceschi. A clear message to all you girls out there, this is not a stupid boy. So love the person, not their career and image.
Ok so from the rest of the reviews you can tell that I’m completely and utterly in love with the album, but if I have any critiques to make it would have to be about this song. Don’t get me wrong the song isn’t awful or complete and utter shite, but whilst listening to it I can’t help but feel like I’m waiting for somethingto happen. The lack of build up makes me feel as if the song isn’t finished and the fact that they chose to end it with it just adds to this nagging feeling. Yes it does build slightly towards the end with Franceschi’s rise vocally but it wasn’t as dramatic as I would have liked it to be. Having said all that if there’s one thing I do like about it, it’s the lyrics. They’re so honest you just can’t help but feel drawn to them, you can’t help but listen more closely. Not to completely shut down on its musical sound, I’d have to say it is beautifully played, I just wish there had been more range within it.
So that’s about all I’ve got to say, a lot. I know. All of you who bothered to read this and all of you who agree with it should now go and show some more well deserved love to all the boys of You Me At Six. I’d like to end the review saying thank you to Chris, Dan, Josh, Matt and Max! Thank you for sticking together as a band and thank you so so SO much for sharing your music with us. You’re all amazing no matter what the haters say!
Oh and to all you fans who are complaining mindlessly and quite frankly stupidly about how you don’t like the new directions they’ve decided to go, suck it up. They were bound to grow, to mature both musically and as people. Whether you decide to stop complaining about it and support them like you rightfully should is all up to you.
Get the Deluxe Version of Sinners Never Sleep
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