The Return of the Sixth.
They say that honesty is the best policy, so here goes. I’ve not been a die-hard fan of YM@6 so when this was sent my way I thought “Oh bugger, what will I write?”
For me, Save It For The Bedroom, Finders Keepers, Lived A Lie are the gems, the YM@6 songs I go back to again and again. I know that’s an unfair perspective, so let’s have a “fresh start” with their new album called “Ⅵ”.
“Fast Forward” makes its grand entrance into this arena and does not disappoint, this is the band leader and everyone else must keep up. The rhythmic sensations continue with my favourite track “Straight To My Head” as we are told to “Make yourself at home right there”, I will do lads, thanks. “Back Again” conjures images of the Motown troops lining up to get their chance to strut their groovy stuff. I was half expecting Kool & The Gang to turn up here, deliciously danceable and truly delectable. Fall back everyone, the dancefloor is MINE!
“In the mourning you’ll need a miracle”, I probably will but “I haven’t stopped dancing yet”, remember that crazy tune?
“3am” falling out of a taxi and onto the dancefloor goes our intrepid hero Josh – Pan’s People have stiff competition here. Is the witching hour really a sensible time to go clubbing? Yes, by the hooves of Satan it is!
There’s oodles and oodles of soul here, of course accompanied by the banging guitars, bass and drums. We are halfway through ten 3-minute (or so) wonders in rock’s boogie wonderland.
“In my rear- view mirror, you disappear” we ponder the circumstances of the “I O U” as “nothing’s gonna be the way it was”- start crying everyone as our hero asks for you to “Pray For Me”.
Like an all you can eat buffet, I find myself going back for more and more, second and third listen in and I’m hooked. I have ruled out gluttony as one of the seven deadly sins, chomp away until your heart’s content folks.
As “Predictable” as it may sound “I’ve got no time for your belly full of lies.” Nor have I boys, instead I’ll clap along to the next tune “Danger” as you “wear your heart on your sleeve like a new tattoo”. If you fancy a change from the intensity of the mosh pit, then this is for you.
We end this hugely enjoyable record with “Losing You” and the poignant line
“I’ll be better off in the end, I just can’t see that yet.”
So, strap on your dancing shoes and sashay your way through the supermarket (and through life.) This is an invitation to get on down, pay no heed to the onlookers for they know not what we have discovered. It’ll be our little secret.
I apologise profusely for not paying attention before, I am all ears now.
So, YM@6 boys? There’s a date night I won’t refuse.
Azra Pathan
YM@6 – Ⅵ out 5th October via Underdog Records/AWAL