Brisbane’s pop-punk upstarts Two Times Shy are soaring lofty heights as they let loose their …
UK artist Yungblud who has only just marked his 20th birthday, released the video for his 2018 single Polygraph Eyes earlier in the week.
The sound of the flourishing young artist, who has broken through solely within the past year would be most perceived as alt/indie rock with subtle yet discernible roots in hip hop.
MORE: AFI – Dark Flames & Poisoned Hearts … Sing the Sorrow Turns 15 // THE BRONX – Heart Attack Americans … The Album that Brought Punk Back // MINISTRY – Welcome To The End Of The Damn World, Kids
Despite a tangibly upbeat persona, Yungblud’s lyrics and accompanied video delve head-on into the pressing issue of sexual assault and it’s lamentably recurrent place within our society, specifically within a context of the Northern UK’s lad culture.
The video depicts what would likely to be a common night out, the protagonist a young girl who becomes visibly drunker as the video progresses. The video goes on to explore the options of the young male that is accompanying her, with the lyrics rightfully suggesting Leave it alone mate /She don’t want to go home with ya / home with ya, no.” Though he embodies the all too habitual behaviour of a drunk teenager: “Too many blokes are getting heavy / When a girl looks unsteady / Blisters on your bleeding soles / ‘Here have my boots, I’ll walk you home”’/ He walks her straight up to the front door /As she stumbles on the floor / We all know what happens next / A bit of fun turns to regret”.
The video is making waves due to its confrontation of sensitive yet utterly vital conversations that are being had within the public sphere, and is a concrete example of music as a social and political influencer. There has been a palpable trend in our young people in striving to enact change that is socially just. For example, the debate pervading through the US in regard to gun control laws and the promise of millions of US school students to conduct a national walk out (of their respective schooling institutions) to decry the Constitution of the United States’ second amendment.
Only through education can we unpack behavioural patterns that are to the innate detriment of our society and Yungblud has been brave enough to address this in his art, which will surely influence his targeted—and local—culture and community. Polygraph Eyes is a fine example of the myriad ways music can be used to communicate heavier issues and ideally highlight where progress must be made.
