Youth Lagoon

Youth Lagoon is the stage name for Idahoan Trevor Powers, a slight 24 year old musician who looks like he could still be in high school.  His work, however, suggests wisdom way beyond his years.  

Trevor Powers

"The Year of Hibernation," his debut album, was released in 2011 and quickly became one of my favorites.  It's title couldn't be more applicable... the rough editing and muffled vocals make it clear that this record was one made while Powers was tucked away somewhere far from a polished music studio.

The songs on "The Year of Hibernation" are a unique combination of catchy whistles or electronic melodies, and a very palpable underlying emotional fragility.  A perfect example of this is the song "Montana."  This piece, like so many of Powers's creations, slowly builds into a crescendo of sound that makes you want to turn your speaker volume way up.

In addition to "Montana" being a great song, Powers managed to make one of the best music videos I've seen in a long, long time for it (see below).

Youth Lagoon's 2nd album, "Wondrous Bughouse," was just recently released via Fat Possum Records.  I haven't gotten the chance to check it out fully yet, but something tells me it will deserve a future post.

Listen Here:  Youth Lagoon – Montana