Young James - Hard Way Road

Young James

​Hard Way Road
self-released; 2017

​3.9 out of 5

By Seth Shulman

The Hard Way Road EP by Young James is a stellar set of lyrically dense and meaningful songs by a well-rounded songwriting duo. Their latest release is a long awaited one reprising Young James from a recent hiatus. Strong hooky melodies and short catchy tunes are what this band’s sound is about. 

​Young James takes imagery from their home, Saskatoon, Canada and incorporates vivid imagery that gives any listen an instant visual of what home is like for them. Song writing duo T.C. Young and Davy James take us all down a long road of prairies and what it is like living in the center of North America. 

Notable tracks off this EP would have to begin with my favorite tune “O Lost Soul” which features drumming from Tallus Scott, the group’s longtime drummer.  This song really has a great REM feel to it whilst also reflecting upon sounds by bands like Fleetwood Mac. There is just great movement in this track, a constant shaking rhythm to accompany the song’s rather dreary and dark lyrical tone.

The drums are produced and mixed well and really have a punch to them prompting the songs ever constant timbre and dynamic. “All Things Change” is another notable track. I would go as far as to say this song leads the album although it’s not the title track. I could see this song really working almost anywhere it is played with really catchy hooks and a chorus that has you shaking your head along the entire time. 

The Hard Way Road EP is a wonderful collection of very visual songs representing aspects of what the writers in Young James have encountered in their home. I give the album high marks and recommend anybody reading this to check out some nicely well-written songs by a good band back from hiatus.

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