As a rule I always keep an ear out whenever I hear that Zegema Beach Records are putting out a non-screamo release. This has served me well over the years and I need look no further than last year’s SMUSH record to remember why. Basically what it comes down to is if a primarily screamo focused label backs something outside their wheelhouse you can bet there’s a pretty darn good reason why.
After a few years on hiatus Saskatchewan three-piece noise rock band Blue Youth have returned announcing their forthcoming sophomore full length Defeatist due April 15th on, you guessed it, ZBR. Blue Youth released their debut album Dead Forever back in 2018, also on ZBR, generated a bit of buzz and released a couple of EP’s before kind of falling off the map. Well today they are back with a vengeance as we are proud to premiere the music video for their brand new song “T.K.Y.I.T.H.Y.”.
The music video employs this geometric chopped and screwed effect that is otherworldly and befitting of the frenetic pace of the song. “T.K.Y.I.T.H.Y.” is a noisy punk rock powder keg. Blue Youth’s style is on full display here, adrenaline filled cleans and screams with fast paced instrumentation. I won’t spoil it because it’s pretty funny, but you should definitely watch the video all the way to the end as there is a little ‘post credits’ scene. The fact that the rest of the video is primarily a black and white swirl of muted darkness just gives this final moment even more punch.
The band had this to say about their new track and upcoming album: ‘”T.K.Y.I.T.H.Y.” is technically the ‘oldest’ track on Defeatist, as it was wrote just before our last album, Dead Forever, was released in 2018. Giving nods to some contemporary influences in Metz or Meat Wave, this was a song we wanted to wait to record on a full length, instead of just as a single. We feel like this song conveys the frustration and intensity omitted by the record as a whole.’
The new album promises to be even more in your face and abrasive as Blue Youth dive further into their screamier post-hardcore influences. Which is certainly the case on “T.K.Y.I.T.H.Y.” as the track is a complete blitz attack. Comparisons to Metz abound, but I’m also hearing a bit of early Nirvana’s grunge abrasion and playfulness amid all the screaming. The infectious energy of this song certainly has me excited to check out the rest of the album.
Defeatist releases on 300 green 12″s on April 15th, 2025 via Zegema Beach Records and The Ghost Is Clear Records. Pick one up if wax is your thing and be sure to give Blue Youth a follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Bandcamp.
