The Privilege of Youth, Memory and Experience Captured In About-Faces’ New Single

Anyone desiring something new, captivating and simply invigorating need look no further than Leeds band about-faces. With five extraordinary members, the band’s love for music is immediately apparent when listening to any of their productions, from their first single ‘Under The Sun’ to their latest release ‘Too Old For Fun’. 

There lies a clear sense of immersion in music at the heart of everything they create, and in combination with an open mind and an eye for perfection, the whole process culminates in some extraordinary recordings. This latest single is such a perfect example of the bridge between Americana and soft-rock music, infusing it of course with the youthful experience of exploring life’s possibilities, outside of office jobs and a 9-5 working day. 

It opens with a fusion of sound, there’s no slow introduction but rather listeners are really thrown straight into the single. It’s clear-cut, immediately identifiable and just starts us off with a sound that sets up a real dazzler of a song. Eventually, Ludman’s vocals integrate themselves recounting the nights out and teenage culture that plays such a big role in so many people’s journey to learning about themselves. This night is not only narrated for relatability within the song but becomes the foundation for the message; these experiences become stories. Stupid decisions and one too many laughs with your friends transform with time to no longer simply being a memory, but instead a story of love or smiles or regret or just fun times with the family you choose. 

After a few powerful and distinctive chords lying underneath the lyrics “I’m too old for fun” (sung by both Ludman and Capstick), we get this toe-tapping upbeat amalgamation of the guitars and the drums coinciding to bring an overwhelming strength. It is not a sound to be taken lightly, but one that seems to perfectly express the nostalgic element of the lyrics through the repetition, but also the slight frustration in knowing these days will come to an end and become stories. There is beauty in that, of course, but also sadness; how lucky we are to have created memories for which we feel this nostalgic pain. 

Drawing to a close, there is heavy repetition of the title’s lyric accompanying complete dynamism in the instrumentals. It seems never-ending in the best way, much like this sense of youthful enjoyment, which seems like it may last forever, but its eventual closure reminds us of how important it is to create those memories whilst we can. We must appreciate the joy that friends bring with them to our lives, be that in music or anything else at all. As the song slows down and ends, so must we; take the time to find happiness in any and every area of life, and bring that through generations to come. 

Abby Tapping 

@abs.tapp75

Image: @barnaby_fairley

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