Huddersfield indie rock outfit LONG ISLAND come of age on their catchiest and most memorable collection of tracks to date
Since emerging out of Huddersfield back in 2022 with their excellent debut single ‘Blissful Satisfaction’, indie rock outfit LONG ISLAND have been a band firmly on our radar, holding onto our attention with their captivating hooks and immersive narratives as they have grown and evolved as a band and built a stellar collection of tracks in the process.
Their brand new EP the freedom of being young sees that collection of tracks continue to grow, and things get off to a rousing start in the form of the optimistic single ‘it’s our time’, an upbeat underdog anthem that implores you to dig in and keep searching for the light at the end of the tunnel when things look hopeless, and their sunny, charming sound makes that prospect sound more than easy to get on board with.
The punchy ‘just another day’ follows, continuing to establish a theme that sits close to title of the collection of tracks, continuing to address issues like coming of age and the pitfalls that come along the way. The track again, with its whirring synths and slick rhythms evoking the kind of vibes as bands like Hard (formerly Easy) Life, showcases their effortless penchant for crafting fun hooks with a plethora of style to go alongside the substance, with the band’s personality and charismatic charm shining through every facet.
‘daydream’ is a track that instantly feels like just that, with an effortlessly compelling indie pop glow that evokes feelings of summer and easier times, which I guess serves as a reminder of feelings that the EP aims to evoke as a whole. The fun, upbeat nature of the track makes for some really euphoric and soaring moments, further cementing their mastery of their sound.
Youthful exuberance is explored further on the brooding ‘homewrecker’, a previously released anti-valentines anthem that celebrates being single in all of its glory. Sonically, the track also sees the track delve into almost drum and bass-tinged territory, providing you with the perfect musical STOP sign for the next time you think about hitting up your ex.
‘want it more’ follows and is possibly the band’s heaviest release to date, with crashing guitars and dynamic instrumentation making for a crashing and impactful feel that provides a welcome shot of adrenaline to their sound, whereas ‘get up and go’ slows things back down for a potent exploration of mental health and losing yourself amidst all of the chaos of navigating life.
The EP is perhaps best encapsulated within its final track ‘young’, a nostalgic track that looks sombrely back at the freedom of our youth and the realisation that “this is all actually happening way to fast and I would like it to stop now actually” that we all go through when we feel like some of the best times of our lives are passing us by. It is a glorious conclusion to this collection of tracks that feels like a neat and concise way to sum up what has preceded it with one of their most moving releases to date.
On the whole, the freedom of being young feels like LONG ISLAND at both their heaviest and most expansive while also their most focussed. The track’s follow a familiar and resonating theme that is easy to resonate with, and the anthemic, heartbreaking and nostalgic moments will ring true with listeners throughout, while the melodies and sing-a-long moments provide more than enough reasons to come back on their own.
