Younghusband have surfaced with new album, Swimmers, due 7th June on Opposite Number. Their first new music since 2015’s Dissolver, Swimmers is awash with glowing guitar melodies, breezy pop moments and restrained yet potent songcraft. It looks to themes of open space and reflection, partly inspired by band's move to their own studio in Greenwich, built by singer and songwriter Euan Hinshelwood in an old barn.
With members of Younghusband having also played in Wes Gonzalez and Meilyr Jones' recent live bands and inspired by both artists' off the cuff approach, recording sessions for Swimmers were driven by instinct and impulse, as Euan would introduce the new songs to bandmates on the day of recording.
Today, they unveil contemplative new single, "Translation". Euan says of it, "It's open to interpretation, but looking back on that period of time I guess it's a song about change and retreat. And about a short moment of that time. A stubborn moment when you want to push everything away for a second and work out what element is tripping you up."
“From the opening shuffles of percussion and mellow surf guitar [...] there’s a subtle whiff of Yo La Tengo that floats as breezily through it as the sweeping melodies and harmonies that soon follow.”
“The guitar-heavy psych-leanings of their previous album have given room to something much lighter, more melody-soaked and ultimately more pop-kissed.”
“Like some of Deerhunter’s more summery moments, there’s a natural flowing charm to it as guitar lines quietly carry the record forward like a gentle current.”