Song You Need: Young Fathers make a welcome return with “Geronimo”
The Edinburgh-based trio are back with their first new song in four years.
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In an age where bands and pop stars live through different "eras" and album campaigns speak as loudly as the music they were designed to promote, Young Fathers have done things the old fashioned way: simply getting better and better with each project they release. Perhaps the lowkey nature of how the Scottish trio goes about its business is why it's a shock to learn that it has been four years since the release of their third album Cocoa Sugar. The immersive "Geronimo," however, is like catching up with an old friend as Young Fathers continue their singular approach with a song that builds slowly, gently climbing its way from a minimal beginning to an unrestrained and carefree peak.
In a statement, the band described "Geronimo" as being reflective of them "trying to remember how to do this again" as they start making album number four. That process is clearly in its embryonic phase – this is the first song they have finished for the record – but it feels right at this moment as the wider world reaches out a hand and relies on muscle memory as a means of returning to normal life.
"Geronimo" doesn't feel weighed down with making any wider statements about society, though. This is simply Young Father's soulful return, the sound of a band getting back to what they do best and discovering it is similar to how they remember and surprisingly different in some ways, too. That joy is palpable and the energy they bring feels totally refreshing.