whenyoung – Given Up EP
Following the release of a string of singles, Limerick trio whenyoung have finally unveiled their debut EP, Given Up, and it's an indie-pop gem
whenyoung have taken the term indie-pop and made it theirs, from covering The Cranberries and putting their own stamp on it to supporting indie sensations such as Peace and The Vaccines. Their debut EP, Given Up, manages to display what this trio can do – and the potential of the band – in only four songs.
Of the EP, the band have said: "Given Up was written after a series of late nights and self-inflicted misdirection. The central message is to take your life by the reins and create your own future." The title track opens the EP – a statement of the band's sound – with a driving, Pixies-esque bassline; it’s the perfect combination of gritty rock and shimmering indie-pop which clearly is whenyoung’s forte.
Heaven On Earth follows, a melodic, gleaming track infused with a classic indie groove and contagious repetitive vocals. A rollicking cover of The Cranberries' Dreams follows, presenting the trio in a different light; everything is slightly toned down and mellowed, only to be interrupted by a Wolf Alice-esque vocal arrangement midway through that kicks the track up a gear. The EP concludes with Sleeper: a sentimental, stripped-back acoustic number featuring a hauntingly moving guitar tone that complements frontwoman Aoife Power’s vocals, fully showing the versatility of the band.
Listen to: Given Up, Dreams, Heaven On Earth