Music

I remember the first time I heard “Posters.” I was in my bed just about to turn off the music and it came on and despite its peaceful weariness it shook of any intentions of sleep as I thought, wow where has this been all my life. Starting off in a far-off melancholic fog, Trevor Powers of Youth Lagoon combines such a subtle lo-fi melody and instrumentation along with such a personal narrative of nostalgia that rips you back to your childhood, lying awake in your bed as another summer night wears on outside of your window. The ethereal gray that the song begins with establishes such a heavy mood that demands a certain nostalgia of your own, thinking back to that first kiss or night drive under a sea of stars. Its easy to get carried away but its amazing how such minimalism can result in one of the most pure, beautiful sounds 2011 has seen.

And soon enough the veil is lifted, as the song builds into a pronounced drum beat as the lyrics fade away and you are taken down a river of dreams, a lush journey that means so much more than you can put into words. Trevor Powers is Youth Lagoon and he carries the grandeur of his first track and stretches it throughout the magnificence that is “The Year of Hibernation.” Boise, Idaho should be more than proud to call Trevor Powers a native of their sleepy town and what might just be my favorite album of 2011. The run time falls a bit short of ideal but quality over quantity is never quite a bad thing. Don’t just enjoy “Posters,” feel free to cherish it. Or if that is too weird for you just enjoy it. Whatever you do, just listen.

-Will Guerin