aaamusic | On 07, Nov 2010

Having never heard of Younger Brother, I’m not entirely sure what I expected when I listened to their ‘Night Lead Me Astray’ EP but whatever I thought I didn’t think that it would be anywhere near this good. Opening track ‘Night Lead Me Astray’ sounds like a band who are selling out stadiums rather than anyone who could have just slipped through the net. The sound is understated at the same time as being anthemic, beautifully delicate at the same time as grabbing you from the offset, just the perfect track.  ‘Pound A Rhythm’ is a slower build than the opener but it doesn’t lack any of the quality that was exhibited on the opener. The vocals are nothing short of gorgeous yet have a slight haunting quality as the falsetto glides over the top of a bare bones backing. It would be reductionist to ignore the slight self indulgence in the middle of the track but at the same time it feels like an essential part of the song. The final track ‘All I want’ lacks the immediacy of ‘Night Lead Me Astray’ yet for some reason it doesn’t irritate and the heavy synths blended with the vocal is awesome.

If there is one EP that you pick up in November, make sure that its ‘Night Lead Me Astray’ and take bragging rights of knowing them before they played Wembley.

Author: Josie Payne