Enjoy Youth Explained
Enjoy Youth |
Type: | studio |
Artist: | Bright Light Bright Light |
Cover: | Enjoy Youth album.jpg |
Genre: | Dance |
Length: | 41:41 |
Label: | YSKWN! |
Prev Title: | Fun City |
Prev Year: | 2020 |
Year: | 2024 |
Enjoy Youth is the fifth studio album by Welsh independent singer-songwriter Bright Light Bright Light, released on 17 May 2024 through YSKWN! records. It features collaborations with Berri, Ultra Naté, Mykal Kilgore, and Beth Hirsch.[1] [2] It marks his first studio album in four years, since Fun City (2020).
Background
Speaking with Tyler Damara Kelly for The Line of Best Fit about the process of the album, Thomas stated:[3]
"Things are pretty shit at the moment and there are times where I really feel like magic has been taken out of the world. I wanted to remind myself that life is pretty special and just focus on the joy we do have."
He also confirmed that the record will have collaborations with artists such as singers-songwriters
Mykal Kilgore,
Ultra Naté,
Berri, and
Beth Hirsch. The album's release was scheduled "to release in time for
Pride Month" as well as Thomas' appearance at London's Mighty Hoopla festival on 1 June. Thomas revealed that the album's producers and writers include
Richard X,
Babydaddy of Scissor Sisters,
Ian Masterson and Jon Shave, and that
gay pornographic actor and social media personality Jonah Wheeler plays the
accordion on the album title track.
[4] [5]
Release and promotion
Enjoy Youth was released through Thomas independent record label, YSKWN! on 17 May 2024.[6] It was made available on streaming, digital download, and multiple variants on vinyl, CD, and cassette.[7]
Singles
The album's first single, "I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do", was released on 18 November 2022.[8]
The second single, "Sweet Release", was released on 17 March 2023, with an accompanying music video released on the same day.[9] The song was both written and produced by Thomas with Jon Shave.[10]
"Boys Etc." was released as the album's third single on 3 May 2023. "Down to One" was released as the album's fourth single on 15 September 2023. with a Halloween themed music video, starring Thomas, Ryan Miller, among others premiered on October 13.[11]
The fifth single, "You Want My...", was officially released on 26 January 2024, alongside the album official pre-order with the date, title, tracklist, and album cover revealed. The title of the song is a reference to George Michael's "I Want Your Sex". A music video for the song, directed, edited, and animated by Tyler Milliron was released on January 19.[12]
The sixth single, "Every Emotion", featured Ultra Naté and was released on 15 March 2024. The music video for the song, directed by Naté, was released on April 8 of the same year.[13]
"Heartslap", featuring Grammy nominee singer-songwriter Mykal Kilgore, was released as the album's seven single on 26 April 2024. A remix by Dave Audé was released on the same day.
Critical reception
Connor Gotto from Retropop Magazine praised the record, calling it one of the strongest body of works of Thomas career, as well a reminder that Bright Light Bright Light remains one of "British pop's best kept secrets".[14] Sean Maunier from Metro Weekly called Enjoy Youth a "master class in buoyant, vibrant, glorious dance-pop", highlighting the record "captivating hooks" and "immensely satisfying dance beats", while stating that Thomas album "offers a gentle reminder that youth is a state of mind rather than a product of time".[15]
Personnel
Credits:
- Rod Thomas — songwriter (all tracks), producer (track 4–10,12-16)
- Ian Masterson — songwriter, producer (track 1,2)
- Berri — vocals (track 2)
- Jon Shave — songwriter, producer (track 3,6,10,12)
- Sam Harper — backing vocals (track 3)
- Ultra Naté — vocals (track 4)
- Mykal Kilgore — vocals, songwriter (track 6)
- Scott Hoffman — songwriter, producer (track 10)
- Richard X — songwriter, producer (track 11)
- Beth Hirsch — vocals (track 12)
- Jonah Wheeler — accordion (track 12)
- Megan Vice — vocals, songwriter (track 15)
Charts
Release history
Notes and References
- Web site: Enjoy Youth by Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music . 2024-05-17 . 2024-04-28 . en-US . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429035303/https://music.apple.com/us/album/enjoy-youth/1713967695 . live .
- Web site: McHugh . George . 2024-01-16 . Bright Light Bright Light announces fifth studio album Enjoy Youth, releases single You Want My… . 2024-04-29 . RETROPOP . en-GB . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429041501/https://retropopmagazine.com/bright-light-bright-light-announces-fifth-studio-album-enjoy-youth-releases-single-you-want-my/ . live .
- Web site: Bright Light Bright Light announces his fifth studio album, Enjoy Youth . 2024-04-29 . The Line of Best Fit . en-US . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429035302/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/bright-light-bright-light-announces-his-fifth-studio-album-enjoy-youth . live .
- Web site: @brightlightx2 . Rod Thomas . 10 May 2024 . The brilliant @showoffjonah popped by to pick up his copy of 'Enjoy Youth' after adding a GORGEOUS accordion part to the title track. He's so talented it's wild. Hear it next Friday May 17th and preorder / presave now! ✨ . 2024-05-17 . www.instagram.com.
- Web site: @brightlightx2 . Rod Thomas . 2024-05-09 . The amazing @ShowOffJonah plays accordion on the title track of my new album out Friday 17th! Preorder it and help us get a super hot week 1 position! . 2024-05-17 . X (formerly Twitter) . en.
- Web site: Bright Light Bright Light Unleashes Ferocious Kiss-Off Anthem "You Want My…" . 2024-04-29 . Shore Fire Media . en . 13 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240513083355/https://shorefire.com/releases/entry/bright-light-bright-light-unleashes-ferociouskiss-off-anthem-you-want-my . live .
- Web site: Bright Light Bright Light . 2024-04-29 . www.lexermusic.com . en . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429035303/https://www.lexermusic.com/bright-light-bright-light . live .
- Web site: Rogers . Mandy . 2022-11-21 . Listen to "I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do" by Bright Light Bright Light . 2024-04-29 . EQ Music Blog . en-US . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429035302/https://eqmusicblog.com/listen-to-i-dont-know-what-im-gonna-do-by-bright-light-bright-light/ . live .
- Bright Light Bright Light - 'Sweet Release' (Official Video) . en . 2024-04-29 . www.youtube.com . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429035302/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRtH1xQ-qDc . live .
- Web site: Gotto . Connor . 2023-03-16 . Bright Light Bright Light introduces new era with latest single Sweet Release . 2024-04-29 . Retropop . en-GB . 6 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306215457/https://retropopmagazine.com/bright-light-bright-light-introduces-new-era-with-latest-single-sweet-release/ . live .
- Bright Light Bright Light - Down to One - Official Video . en . 2024-04-29 . YouTube . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429035320/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI05gKUp1bY&feature=youtu.be . live .
- Bright Light Bright Light - You Want My ... (Official Video) . en . 2024-04-29 . www.youtube.com . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429035321/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=1rnPoYOyV20 . live .
- Bright Light Bright Light & Ultra Naté - Every Emotion (Official Video) . en . 2024-04-29 . www.youtube.com . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429035303/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPKBO4t6rHY . live .
- Web site: Gotto . Connor . 2024-05-13 . Bright Light Bright Light – Enjoy Youth . 2024-05-17 . RETROPOP . en-GB.
- Web site: Maunier . Sean . 2024-06-08 . 'Enjoy Youth' Finds Bright Light x2 at the Top of His Game (Review) . 2024-06-13 . Metro Weekly . en-US.
- Web site: Official Scottish Albums Chart on 24/5/2024 . 2024-05-31 . Official Charts . en.
- Web site: 2024-05-29 . Official Albums Chart Top 100 on 24/5/2024 . 2024-05-31 . Official Charts . en.
- Web site: Official Independent Albums Chart on 24/5/2024 . 2024-05-31 . Official Charts . en.
- Web site: Official Independent Album Breakers Chart on 24/5/2024 . 2024-05-31 . Official Charts . en.
- Web site: Official Albums Sales Chart on 24/5/2024 . 2024-05-31 . Official Charts . en.
- Web site: Official Album Downloads Chart on 24/5/2024 . 2024-05-31 . Official Charts . en.
- Web site: Official Physical Albums Chart on 24/5/2024 . 2024-05-31 . Official Charts . en.
- Web site: Official Vinyl Albums Chart on 24/5/2024 . 2024-05-31 . Official Charts . en.
- Web site: Official Record Store Chart on 24/5/2024 . 2024-05-31 . Official Charts . en.
- Web site: Bright Light Bright Light – Enjoy Youth . 2024-04-29 . brightlightx2 . en . 29 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429035303/https://www.brightlightx2.com/ . live .