Earlier this month, Hightstown's YJY released EP, The Same Noise. It's their second for label Sniffling Indie Kids and the follow-up to last year's superb Couch Surfin' USA. The four-song set contains three songs that have been part of the YJY live show for quite some time. They're all solid individual singles; but collected together, along with new song "Evergreens," they form a thematically cohesive package.
Opener "Summer Lifeguard" shimmers like heat waves off the sand as the narrator laments his invisibility to the lifeguard he's crushing on. The song's got a beachy, reverby vibe; but, instead of being a typical carefree summer track, it just wishes that it were.
"Past My Prime" and "Through Being Hip" both focus on people wrapped up in an image. "Past My Prime" takes the point of view of a former high school jock whose glory days ended at graduation. "Through Being Hip," rather than being run-of-the-mill hipster bashing, deals more with someone who loses their true self as they try on an identity. Both songs are infectious, singalong pop that feature jangly, Real Estate-esque guitar.
I first heard "Evergreens," I think, about a month and a half ago when YJY broke it out during their set for Asbury Park Live on the boardwalk. I remember thinking of it as "that Cure-ish song;" and, therefore, loving it. The song's about being reminded of happier times, and it's a stone masterpiece.
While, Couch Surfin' USA was like a sampler -- and a highly enjoyable one -- of all the directions that YJY could go, The Same Noise is an example of the band picking one and running with it. The irresistible guitar sounds and the themes of wishing for something more and discovering (or maybe just wondering) who you really are stitch four great, individual tracks together into an outstanding whole.
The Same Noise is out now on Sniffling Indie Kids.
YJY play live on September 3rd at Brooklyn's Gold Sounds with Paper Streets, Lady, and The Silver Tongues. On September 10th, they join 19 (!) other bands at the first-ever North Jersey Indie Rock Festival presented by Sniffling Indie Kids and Mint 400 Records at Jersey City's Cathedral Hall.
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