GOLD & YOUTH play the Field Trip Music & Arts Festival at Fork York Garrison Commons on June 8. See listing. Rating: NNN
It makes perfect sense that Gold & Youth opened for Diamond Rings on his cross-Canada tour last fall. The Vancouver electronic indie rock band is a less danceable version of John O’Regan’s 80s-infatuated project, with similar baritone vocals creeping through dark, synthetic sounds owing much to Depeche Mode.
There is something off-puttingly “on-trend” at work, but the band’s biggest crime is leaving their influences so obvious. That said, the songwriting is refined, the melancholy mood evocative, and the production tasteful. They succeed at turning cold new-wave detachment into something relatively welcoming.
The best moments involve Louise Burns, who contributes high, hazy vocals to several tunes, including the single Jewel, which has a stirring, memorable chorus. Cut Lip’s elegant guitar motif brings Grizzly Bear to mind, while slowly building closer Time To Kill is worthy of the UK attention it’s brought the band.
Top track: Jewel
