The Gospel Youth are melancholy, emo pop-rock at its best. The band slide effortlessly into stripped-down acoustic moments that emphasize lead vocalist Samuel Little’s rough, heavy-hearted vocals and desolate, innovative lyrics. A second later, they’re back to banging out mournful, indie pop-rock, complete with weighed-down drums and rainy-day guitars. The vocals are undoubtedly the highlight, expressive and versatile, but The Gospel Youth’s sound wouldn’t be complete without the forlorn instrumentals that crescendo and drift away at all the right moments.
Favorites: “Moods Like English Weather,” “Lighting Fires,” “Hurricane”
Similar to: Boston Manor, Mallory Knox, Seaway
The Offbeat 