Feng Suave Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff On Feel-Good EP Warping Youth
8.5/10
Amsterdam-based duo Feng Suave released their new EP Warping Youth over the weekend, hoping to move outside of their “bedroom pop” sound of their earlier work with the new 6-track collection.
The pair of Daniël Schoemaker and Daniël de Jong instead find themselves in more polished, well-rounded form, with Warping Youth stealing hints from ’70s soul and L.A. surf-pop to create a free-floating vibe across the track list.
Feng Suave share: “We aimed at distancing ourselves from the contemporary ‘bedroom’ sound of our first releases and tried to stay true to the music we like, listen to and admire the most; more organic-sounding, classic songs. Thematically, the songs are about coming of age and the directionless wandering through adolescence that comes with it.”
The carefree energy of the release manages to mimic the hazy, somewhat-carefree lifestyle of being a teenager and navigating life. Lead single “Toking, Dozing” especially, the title hinting at the common habits of adolescence while the music creates the perfect laidback atmosphere for it to happen. The positive energy of the release is matched with the Unknown Mortal Orchestra-inspired “I’m Warping Here”, and “People Wither” as the pair provide some emotional relief and encouragement about moving forward in life and not sweating the small stuff.
Do-wop and Beach Boy-esque pop melodies come to life on “Half-Moon Bag” and “Maybe Another Time”, giving Warping Youth an irresistible summer vibe. Feng Suave bring it to a close on the heavy-hitting prog-pop single “Day One”, mixing melancholy lyrics with explosive instrumentation.
Warping Youth is the uplifting and optimistic release that we didn’t know we needed, managing to capture the exciting and endless possibilities of youth through their energizing and uncomplicated musicality.
