Looking at Denmark’s reputation of producing some outstandingly dreamy alternative music (Mew, anyone?), it should come as no surprise that Copenhagen art rock band Young Couple excel at creating delectable atmospheres that lull the listener into an intoxicating trance. Somewhere between the realms of dream pop, post-rock, and neo-psychedelia, this five-piece band consisting of Christian Haldrup (drums), Eigil Fauerskov (guitar), Jens Brøndum (saxophone), Jonas Tøibner (vocals, guitar) and Mikkel Kruse (bass) creates impressionistic, otherworldly sounds for aching souls.
“As the leaves unfold” comes hot off the band’s début record yc, which will see its release on November 7 via Pink Cotton Candy Records. Aside from the aforementioned Mew, fitting reference points for Young Couple‘s airy solipsism might be Cocteau Twins, Spirit of the Beehive, Bark Psychosis, and DIIV – all of them being bands that appeal to the dreamy, escapist tendencies within our collective psyche. Young Couple do well to both embrace those influences and set themselves apart from them, mainly through their incorporation of the saxophone into their band line-up.
Organic performance and studio enhancement play off of each other quite well within the band’s microcosmos, creating a warm, engulfing feeling that listeners will relish. It comes as no surprise to learn that Young Couple carefully inspect their work in a democratic process – “As the leaves unfold” feels intentional, like the end result of a conscious effort made by heartstrings resounding in unison. This song is a perfect first glimpse at yc, promising an even more bountiful harvest of vibes and feelings in the months to come.
Kruse and Haldrup prove to be a competent rhythm section, able to anchor the lofty aspirations of the other instruments in a way that allows them to wander off without losing a sense of direction. Fauerskov and Tøibner, then, weave a glistening reverberation with their guitars, allowing the latter’s vocals and especially Brøndum’s saxophone to shine exceptionally. This is a sound that begs to be explored further, and yet it’s already realized enough to beguile even seasoned veterans of the alternative scene with ease.
Young Couple show a lot of promise with “As the leaves unfold”, and I hope that they will make good on it come the release of yc. For now, all we can do is get lost in this marvelous single and appreciate its luster. As for the music video, its contrast of rehearsal footage and outside sources of imagery – nature, infrastructure, other people – does well to illustrate the band’s intentions without stealing your attention away from the music too much.
As stated earlier, Young Couple will put out their début full-length yc via Pink Cotton Candy Records in early November; you can pre-order the album on Bandcamp. Be sure to follow the band on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date with the album rollout and other miscellaneous information about their goings-on.
Featured image and article header courtesy of Florentine Fogh
