Young & Sick

The Melodic Tree’s top 10 albums of the year

10. Post Tropical – James Vincent McMorrow: The dramatic change between Post Tropical and Early In The Morning was something that was shocking and yet extraordinary at the same time. McMorrow’s shift from folk to a more soulful sound seems to suit his voice that can hit beautiful falsettos.

9. Be Impressive – The Griswolds: Australian pop-rock rarely sounded as good. With catchy guitar riffs, such as in their hit song, “Beware the Dog,” and infectious lyrics, this is a stellar debut album from the Griswolds.

8. Sonic Highways – Foo Fighters: The concept of this album is one-of-a-kind and the way the Foo Fighters recorded it was original to say the least. Collaborating with different bands in each of the cities where they recorded, it is undoubtedly the most creative album of the year. Even with all of these collaborations, there is still the climatic sound of the band laced into it.

7. Supermodel – Foster the People: Foster the People returned this year with what feels like one of the best pop albums of the year. The dark lyrics are matched cool and bubbly instrumentals making the themes in this album virtually inconspicuous.

6. Everything Will Be Alright in the End – Weezer: The comeback from Weezer seems like a breath of fresh air from their previous two records, Raditude and Hurley. The hooks on this album return and gives the fans just want they want. It is reminiscent of their old days and yet guides us into their future.

5. They Want My Soul – Spoon: This follow-up to their 2010 Transference feels as though it’s a new era for Spoon and this is their first album with new guitar and piano player, Alex Fischel. This is a great comeback for the band after taking a few years off. There are hints of new influences throughout the album and yet, there is still the grit that has given Spoon their signature sound.

4. Sun Structures – Temples: The debut from Temples is the perfect album for anyone nostalgic for the 1960’s and 1970’s. With mellow vocals and keyboards, there is no doubt that Temples understand their abilities. The rhythms from drummer, Samuel Toms, on this album are beyond what most bands as young as they are capable of doing.

3. Singles – Future Islands: 2014 was quite the breakout year for Future Islands and it’s obvious with this album why so. The emotions in the lyrics and voice of Samuel Herring are strong and the backing instruments are just as climatic. The synthesizer on this album is one of the many elements that make this album so phenomenal. Singles is of those albums that will be on anyone’s playlist.

2. Young & Sick – Young & Sick: Artist and musician, Nick Hofwegen goes under the pseudonym of Young and Sick for both his art and music. His self-titled debut is a synth-driven R&B album with infectious bass lines. Whether or not you like R&B, Hofwegen seems to incorporate so much into the songs on this album, there is at least one element that everyone will like.

1. Strange Desire – Bleachers: Bleachers’ debut album Strange Desire can seemingly transport its listeners to a John Hughes movie. With climatic songs such as “I Wanna Get Better” and “Rollercoaster” that brings his melancholic lyrics together with intricate melodies and create something refreshing in the world of alternative rock. Frontman, Jack Antonoff creates new and exciting concepts on this album whether it is eccentric collaborations with Yoko Ono or incorporating Grace Dunham’s, Lena Dunham’s younger sister, talking about graduating college into his music.

The Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

1. Seasons (Waiting On You) – Future Islands

2. Sleep – Summer Heart

3. Like A River Run – Bleachers

4. Keep in the Dark – Temples

5. Down and Out – The Griswolds

6. I’ve Had It Up To Here – Weezer

7. Do You – Spoon

8. Heartache Fetish – Young & Sick

9. Pseudologia Fantastica – Foster the People

10. Lampshades on Fire – Modest Mouse

11. Crystalized – Young the Giant

12. Honeymoon – SomeKindaWonderful

13. In the Summer – Finish Ticket

14. Through the Dark – The Mowgli’s

15. Texas – Magic Man

16. Karaoke – Smallpools

17. Kathleen – Catfish and the Bottlemen

18. Fiona Coyne – Saint Pepsi

19. Uma – Panama Wedding

20. Red Eyes – The War on Drugs

The Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

1. Rollercoaster – Bleachers

2. Mangrove – Young & Sick

3. Victor – Prinze George

4. Mr. Quice – Wildcat! Wildcat!

5. Wings – Haerts

6. Geri – Superhumanoids

7. Silver Screen – Beat Connection

8. License to Drive – Work Drugs

9. Somewhere Else Tonight – Mansions on the Moon

10. You Can – Body Language

11. Harvest Moon – Poolside

12. Pretty Boy – Young Galaxy

13. House – Kindness

14. Better Off Without You – Summer Camp

15. Shelter Song – Temples

16. Moth Wings – Pond

17. Still Life – The Horrors

18. Mecca – Wild Beasts

19. Blue Velvet – Childhood

20. Let Down – Bored Nothing

Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

Young & Sick – Young & Sick

The brainchild of Dutch artist, Nick Van Hofwegen, Young & Sick is a music and art project that has created artwork for musicians such as Foster the People and Mikky Ekko. He recently released a self-titled album on Harvest Records, Young & Sick is definitely a band to watch. Young & Sick has a lot to offer with groovy R&B melodies, powerful vocals, and interesting rhythms. The writing, performance, production, and album artwork was all done by Hofwegen and this album is a stunning debut by the artist. Young & Sick has positively-charged music but can transition to jazzy slow ballads with ease.

Hofwegen’s vocals are smooth and breezy and gives Young & Sick elements that adds a charming mood to the grooves of the synthesizers. His falsettos are impressive throughout the album and he knows his abilities and never tries to force it upon listeners. The harmonies are soft and gives a sort of calming nature to his falsetto. The album has some fun lyrics in it that are memorable, especially in “Mangrove,” and gives the album an alluring atmosphere. The vocal trills on Young & Sick are amazing and the gospel-like tones throughout the album are fascinating.

Young & Sick has incredibly groovy synthesizer melodies and rhythms and this album effectively shows that Hofwegen can develop his own sound without straying far from his influences. There is something unique to Hofwegen’s instrumentations, whether it is his laid back tiempo or his captivating usage of the synthesizer. The bass line at the end of “Counting Raindrops” is amazing and gives the song an infectious feeling to it. The mixture of R&B beats with retro synths and modern technology gives a sound to Young & Sick that is unique to him.

With impressive harmonies and rhythms, there is no doubt that Young & Sick will establish himself not only as an artist but also as a musician with this debut album. With various stand out tracks such as “Mangrove” and “Counting Raindrops,” this self-titled debut will launch Hofwegen’s career further than where it has gone thus far.