New listeners of Young Empires’ The Gates would be surprised to learn that the album is the band’s first (its release date is September 4). The instrumentation, vocals, and lyrics are so well-crafted that you’d think they’ve done this plenty of times–and, in a sense, they have. Though they haven’t officially released an album until this year, the band formed in 2009 and has since been songwriting, practicing, and developing their sound. That being said, The Gates impresses in both musical and lyrical storytelling. Songs often start off soft and quickly turn into catchy, high-energy hooks intertwined with themes of personal development. But the cherry on top is how balanced the album is: while many songs are definitely of the alternative rock genre, others inhabit the indie pop realm.
Wed., Sept. 9, 9 p.m., 2015
