Review: Young Hound – ‘In Memories’
Portland-based Young Hound just released his double LP In Memories, an expansive compilation of insecurities, love, loss, depression, politics, and everything in-between. This album is truly unique — it was built on the memories and experiences of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Colin Keatingin over a 5-year span-and includes both commentary on his personal experiences, as well as his takes on political and social movements as he grew.
This project, an astonishing 22 songs in length, ranges from heavy metal (as seen on the song “Medicated”) to the sort of soft rock seen on “Light Bright,” to the pop-rock parody take on an inspirational tune “Shiriki Okami Mikasi” — all of which are masterfully done and full of personal touches and home audio splices.
The song that I would most like to highlight off the double LP is the last song, “Whir of Whimsy.” This song starts with an audio sample, and soon fades into haunting layers of voices and sound, eventually fading into contemplating silence for a few moments until picking up again with home audio, layered with an acoustic guitar, giving us a happy sendoff after an emotional trip.
In Memories is quite possibly one of the most personal albums I have ever listened to — with content and heartbreaking realizations expected of an artist such as Sun Kil Moon, this double LP captures listeners and pulls them into the thoughts and memories of an artist as he grows and lives over a 5-year period. It’s not fair to “review” an album like this in the traditional sense, whose content is meant to be a testimony of someone’s personal experiences and struggles.
That being said, In Memories will surely not disappoint in both its heartbreaking and politically-charged content as well as it’s musical ability. In Memories effortlessly blends music of all genres, languages, and types, with home video segments and leaves listeners both feeling hallow and full at the same time, but utterly breathless nonetheless.
(In Memories is available for purchase via Young Hound’s Bandcamp page digitally and on CD. Stream “Medicated” below.)
