ATP! Album Review: Annabel - Youth In Youth

Annabel has moved to a seemingly darker, slower sound since their last full length in 2009. The Ohio native’s latest release, “Youth In Youth”, boasts anthemic odes to passing youth and captivating instrumentals, but leaves the listener feeling slightly drained by the monotonous feel of a full album listen.

That’s not to say that Annabel have not crafted an album worth investing your hard-earned pennies in. Ben Hendricks leaves nothing on the table when it comes to lyrics. Mostly introspective journeys into growing up (or the lack there of) and navigating the pitfalls of decision making and relationships, Hendricks’ words give listeners something easy to connect to without always explicitly stating exactly what they should feel.

However, Hendricks’ drawn out closing to each line can grow a little tiresome as it carries form track to track. Despite how well this fits with the instrumentals, listeners may find themselves occasionally yearning for the quicker, less monotonous sound of the bands earlier vocals.

Where Annabel can’t go wrong is in their instrumentals. Driven by the drum work of Andy Hendricks, particularly on the opening track ‘Young American’, “Youth In Youth” ranges from upbeat to mildly depressing rhythms across its 11 tracks. Guitar solidly holds down each song, from the twang of ‘Risk/Reward’ to the quivering reverb on ‘Rapids.’ Meanwhile, the instrumental break provided by ‘Theme From ‘Home’’ gives the band an excuse to pull in the haunting echo of a piano.

While the regular slow, quiet feel of each song can leave a listener slightly glazed over, Annabel have added an entrancing and different but still noteworthy album to their discography.

4/5

Vanessa Frith

“Youth In Youth” is available now via Count Your Lucky Stars.