Charly Bliss: Young Enough

Charly Bliss’s newest album Young Enough deals with the struggles of surviving a failing relationship. Synth heavy, except for when it’s noticeably not, the album exudes intimacy raw emotion. It’s energy is focused on the words allowing a listener to get the emotion from each song. Mostly quick, the lyrics speed through each song with little time for reflection through breaks. As a whole, it expresses anger, bitterness, hope, and uncertainty about one’s self.

Like an overture, “Blown to Bits,” starts the album with a steady, droning buzz that develops into a variety of different sounds and tempos in the following tracks led by synths and guitars. The message is clear from the beginning. The bad relationship must go, but ending it will be difficult. Building from relatable experiences and sensations, Young Enough explores the personal effect the relationship has had. Breaking things off is difficult and this album is no different. The beginning sounds bitter and full of passion. With almost whiny vocals, the sound nears aggravation at times only to be subdued by the effectiveness of the overall experience. The bitterness towards the unnamed boyfriend builds until “Camera.” “Under You” lacks the expected synths, but with heavy, deep drums and quick guitars, the song stands out and fully recognizing the angst that has been present throughout the album to this point. The lyrics struggle with how anybody can accept they are worthwhile when they have experienced hell in such a crappy relationship.

There is an obvious change after the short “Fighting in the Dark.” Though the bitterness towards the man remains, the self-doubt that permeated the front half of the album seems to have been overcome. The vocals become less whiny and more powerful. Though, whether they actually change, or merely the perception of them, is unclear. What is clear is that listening to the album leads to understanding another’s change. “Young Enough,” the longest track by over a minute, explores how one can change and outgrow some of the problems of youth. The themes develop and it becomes clear that although it is hard to move past feelings of anger towards someone who treated you so poorly, you can still be something. The hardest part is the feeling that you would be better if you returned. Though leaving is always hards, recognizing that the current situation is not the right one is always necessary. Young Enough ends with “The Truth.” It realizes the need to cut the bad part out because staying does nothing for anyone.

Though the album works towards a definite goal, many of the songs are strong enough to stand on their own. “Under You,” “Camera,” and “Hard to Believe” all develop the overall themes but are also songs that can be listened to again and again. The songs are able to express raw emotion and personal experiences. Though she has experienced a bad relationship, there is hope that it will not be the end of her since she is young enough to move past it. The sound is simple with little time dedicated to anything beyond the words. There are few solos and fewer songs that continue beyond the last word. Young Enough delivers emotion through the singing with a finality that is felt at the end.

Rating: 7.0/10

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