by Joseph Purcell

From LA via Chicago, Young Jesus have been on quite the journey. Led by the enigmatic, John Rossiter, they have morphed through a wide range of musical manifestations. The band, somewhat of a collision point for soothing Americana with bold flits of emo and glances to punk undertones, have sought constant evolution rather than re-invention. New single, Root and Crown, is the first from forthcoming long play, Welcome to Conceptual Beach, promises more of the same.

‘Every record needs a thesis, needs a crisis or campaign, all my feelings need a reason need a riotousness’ Rossiter sings – his vocal pitched somewhere between the dexterity of Anohni and the exuberant punch of David Byrne. At his back, an intricate cascade of contrasting sounds gives an elevation to his words. The music cast in swathes at the back of his drawling vocal fits perfectly – neither overpowering nor understated, but pitched as an immaculate marriage of two parts working in unison. As the track comes to its conclusion, a delicate finger picked acoustic brings down the final act. It’s a haunting, melodic, majestic single – and fit to grace any great album.

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