It’s impossible not to smile while listening to Young Rising Sons’ debut full-length album, Still Point In A Turning World. Filled to the brim with upbeat, catchy as hell anthems and emotional ballads, Still Point In A Turning World is not only a very accessible release (there’s a little something for everyone in it) but it also cements the band’s place as a soon to be heavy-hitter in the indie-pop world.
The massive opening track, “Passenger” sets the tone for the rest of the album with a sing-along ready chorus, catchy guitar hooks and memorable lyrics like, “I’m tired of dreaming from the sidelines / I’m tired of watching life pass me by”. From there, the band just continues to expand on their sound while delivering hit after hit. It’s nearly impossible to choose the “best” song on the album, when it just seems to keep getting better and better. Outsider anthem, “Standing” sits perfectly alongside the uplifting “Alright”, which is the perfect track for driving down the highway with the windows down, with a punchy, retro-leaning chorus.
Not every single song on Still Point In A Turning World is just a stadium ready anthem, though, and that’s what keeps it from getting stale or repetitive. The dreamy “Meloyelo” helps to break things up a bit, and is followed a few songs later by the short piano-driven track, “Smile Lines”, which provides a really lovely reprieve from the energetic songs that make up the first half of the album. “In My Room” follows suit as well, carried primarily by acoustic guitar and stunning guest vocals from Sizzy Rocket. Then, bookending the album with more upbeat bops are “Carousel” and the bright final track, “House of Cards”.
At its core, Still Point In A Turning World is an extremely fun release. Songs like “Passenger” “Alright” and “House Of Cards” will easily find themselves in summer playlist rotation this year, while the stunning “In My Room” will easily become a fan favorite. As a debut album, Still Point In A Turning World is an absolute success, as it showcases all of Young Rising Sons strengths with ease and will serve as the perfect pushing off point for future releases.