SINGLE REVIEW: Elephant - Young
Elephant is the alias of Irish indie/alternative artist Shane Clarke. New single 'Young' encourages the listener to stop worrying about things that can't be changed and embrace the fact you can be young at any age.
Soft ethereal, lo-fi, dreamy with a laid back, mystical feel. The verses feature a spoken The Streets sound with an understated confidence and delivery that allows Shane's wonderful accent to shine through.
The sung verse gives off artistic, articulate Beck vibes with unique high pitch. 'Young' whilst playing down the impact of the lyrics with its gentle stance pours with a feeling of empowerment. Not worrying about the things you can't alter, embracing and loving yourself. The belief that youth is a state of mind rather than a number you allow to define you.
Inspired by a difficult time in his life 'Young' focuses on the subconscious, overcoming hard times and challenging your mindset. It's an honest and vulnerable lyric that Shane admits is deeply personal, presenting a reflection of his own hardships. It relays fears such as being afraid of the dark but then beams with the notion of dealing with fears rather than letting them engulf you.
The running theme is the knowledge that you're okay, repeating the line 'I'm okay now" many times throughout. "You gotta laugh right" encapsulates the feeling of laughing though the suffering, forcing things to not seem quite so bad.
Musically 'Young' is soft and graceful with a charming melody, it's like a dream state with an occasional burst of grandeur, big riffs and the chaos of background noise as if to represent a wandering mind that never shuts up. There's beautiful strings and a calming synthy sound. It's majestic and delivered with class and downplayed professionalism.
'Young' takes a trip into the darkness but liberates with the idea that everyone has the ability to readjust their state of thinking and embrace the good even in a negative mind.
