Wikipedia

Enjoy Youth

Enjoy Youth is the fifth studio album by Welsh independent singer-songwriter Bright Light Bright Light, released on 17 May 2024 through YSKWN! records. It features collaborations with Berri, Ultra Naté, Mykal Kilgore, and Beth Hirsch.[1][2] It marks his first studio album in four years, since Fun City (2020).

Enjoy Youth
Studio album by
Bright Light Bright Light
Released17 May 2024 (2024-05-17)
GenreDance
Length41:41
LabelYSKWN!
Producer
Bright Light Bright Light chronology
Fun City
(2020) 		Enjoy Youth
(2024)
Singles from Enjoy Youth
  1. "I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do"
    Released: 18 November 2022
  2. "Sweet Release"
    Released: 17 March 2023
  3. "Boys, Etc."
    Released: 3 May 2023
  4. "Down to One"
    Released: 15 September 2023
  5. "You Want My ..."
    Released: 26 January 2024
  6. "Every Emotion"
    Released: 15 March 2024
  7. "Heartslap"
    Released: 26 April 2024

Background

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Speaking with Tyler Damara Kelly for The Line of Best Fit about the process of the album, Thomas stated:[3]

"Things are pretty shit at the moment and there are times where I really feel like magic has been taken out of the world. I wanted to remind myself that life is pretty special and just focus on the joy we do have."[3]

He also confirmed that the record will have collaborations with artists such as singers-songwriters Mykal Kilgore, Ultra Naté, Berri, and Beth Hirsch.[3] The album's release was scheduled "to release in time for Pride Month" as well as Thomas' appearance at London's Mighty Hoopla festival on 1 June.[3][2] Thomas revealed that the album's producers and writers include Richard X, Babydaddy of Scissor Sisters, Ian Masterson and Jon Shave, and that gay pornographic actor and social media personality Jonah Wheeler plays the accordion on the album title track.[4][5]

Release and promotion

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Enjoy Youth was released through Thomas independent record label, YSKWN! on 17 May 2024.[6] It was made available on streaming, digital download, and multiple variants on vinyl, CD, and cassette.[7]

Singles

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The album's first single, "I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do", was released on 18 November 2022.[8][9]

The second single, "Sweet Release", was released on 17 March 2023,[10] with an accompanying music video released on the same day.[11] The song was both written and produced by Thomas with Jon Shave.[12]

"Boys Etc." was released as the album's third single on 3 May 2023.[13] "Down to One" was released as the album's fourth single on 15 September 2023.[14] with a Halloween themed music video, starring Thomas, Ryan Miller, among others premiered on October 13.[15]

The fifth single, "You Want My...", was officially released on 26 January 2024, alongside the album official pre-order with the date, title, tracklist, and album cover revealed.[16] The title of the song is a reference to George Michael's "I Want Your Sex".[3] A music video for the song, directed, edited, and animated by Tyler Milliron was released on January 19.[17]

The sixth single, "Every Emotion", featured Ultra Naté and was released on 15 March 2024.[18] The music video for the song, directed by Naté, was released on April 8 of the same year.[19]

"Heartslap", featuring Grammy nominee singer-songwriter Mykal Kilgore, was released as the album's seven single on 26 April 2024.[20] A remix by Dave Audé was released on the same day.[21]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Retropop Magazine     [22]
Classic Pop Magazine      [23]
Metro Weekly      [24]

Connor Gotto from Retropop Magazine praised the record, calling it one of the strongest body of works of Thomas career, as well a reminder that Bright Light Bright Light remains one of "British pop's best kept secrets".[25] Sean Maunier from Metro Weekly called Enjoy Youth a "master class in buoyant, vibrant, glorious dance-pop", highlighting the record "captivating hooks" and "immensely satisfying dance beats", while stating that Thomas album "offers a gentle reminder that youth is a state of mind rather than a product of time".[26]

Track listing

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Standard edition[27]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."You Want My ..."
Masterson3:26
2."Snap!" (with Berri)
  • Thomas
  • Masterson
Masterson3:58
3."Revived"
  • Thomas
  • Jon Shave
Jon Shave3:15
4."Every Emotion" (with Ultra Naté)ThomasRod Thomas3:32
5."Boys Etc."ThomasThomas3:32
6."Heartslap" (with Mykal Kilgore)
  • Thomas
  • Shave
  • Mykal Kilgore
  • Thomas
  • Shave
3:09
7."Sweet Release"
  • Thomas
  • Shave
  • Thomas
  • Shave
3:08
8."I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do"ThomasThomas4:02
9."Down to One"Thomas
  • Thomas
  • Initial Talk
3:01
10."Sweetest Waste"
  • Thomas
  • Hoffman
3:04
11."Keep"
  • Thomas
  • Richard X
Richard X3:23
12."Enjoy Youth" (with Beth Hirsch)
  • Thomas
  • Shave
  • Thomas
  • Shave
4:11
Total length:41:41
Lavender deluxe edition[28]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Lose This Feeling"ThomasThomas3:32
14."Cold Sweat, Hot Boys"ThomasThomas3:33
15."Return to Me" (with Megan Vice)
  • Thomas
  • Megan Vice
Thomas3:38
16."Boys Etc." (Strut Mix)ThomasThomas3:23
Total length:55:00
Amazon exclusive mint green edition[29]
No.TitleLength
13."Put Me in My Place" 
Yellow deluxe edition[30]
No.TitleLength
13."So Much Prettier" (2004 studio recording) 
14."I'll Turn It Down" (2004 studio recording) 
15."Good Coat" (2004 studio recording) 
16."A New Word to Say" (2004 studio recording) 

Personnel

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Credits:[31]

  • Rod Thomas — songwriter (all tracks), producer (track 4–10,12-16)
  • Ian Masterson — songwriter, producer (track 1,2)
  • Berri — vocals (track 2)
  • Jon Shave — songwriter, producer (track 3,6,10,12)
  • Sam Harper — backing vocals (track 3)
  • Ultra Naté — vocals (track 4)
  • Mykal Kilgore — vocals, songwriter (track 6)
  • Scott Hoffman — songwriter, producer (track 10)
  • Richard X — songwriter, producer (track 11)
  • Beth Hirsch — vocals (track 12)
  • Jonah Wheeler — accordion (track 12)
  • Megan Vice — vocals, songwriter (track 15)

Charts

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Chart performance for Enjoy Youth
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[32] 10
UK Albums (OCC)[33] 60
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[34] 3

Release history

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Release history and formats for Enjoy Youth
Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
Various 17 May 2024
Standard YSKWN! [31]
20 May 2024
Deluxe [35]

References

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  1. ^ "Enjoy Youth by Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music". 17 May 2024. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b McHugh, George (16 January 2024). "Bright Light Bright Light announces fifth studio album Enjoy Youth, releases single You Want My…". RETROPOP. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Bright Light Bright Light announces his fifth studio album, Enjoy Youth". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  4. ^ @brightlightx2, Rod Thomas (10 May 2024). "The brilliant @showoffjonah popped by to pick up his copy of 'Enjoy Youth' after adding a GORGEOUS accordion part to the title track. He's so talented it's wild. Hear it next Friday May 17th and preorder / presave now! 🌈✨🥂". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ @brightlightx2, Rod Thomas (9 May 2024). "The amazing @ShowOffJonah plays accordion on the title track of my new album out Friday 17th! Preorder it and help us get a super hot week 1 position!". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Bright Light Bright Light Unleashes Ferocious Kiss-Off Anthem "You Want My…"". Shore Fire Media. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Bright Light Bright Light". www.lexermusic.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  8. ^ I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do - Single by Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music, 18 November 2022, archived from the original on 29 April 2024, retrieved 29 April 2024
  9. ^ Rogers, Mandy (21 November 2022). "Listen to "I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do" by Bright Light Bright Light". EQ Music Blog. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  10. ^ Sweet Release - Single by Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music, 17 March 2023, archived from the original on 29 April 2024, retrieved 29 April 2024
  11. ^ Bright Light Bright Light - 'Sweet Release' (Official Video). Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  12. ^ Gotto, Connor (16 March 2023). "Bright Light Bright Light introduces new era with latest single Sweet Release". Retropop. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  13. ^ Boys Etc. - Single by Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music, 3 May 2023, archived from the original on 29 April 2024, retrieved 29 April 2024
  14. ^ Down to One - Single by Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music, 15 September 2023, archived from the original on 29 April 2024, retrieved 29 April 2024
  15. ^ Bright Light Bright Light - Down to One - Official Video. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ You Want My … by Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music, 26 January 2024, archived from the original on 29 April 2024, retrieved 29 April 2024
  17. ^ Bright Light Bright Light - You Want My ... (Official Video). Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  18. ^ Every Emotion by Bright Light Bright Light & Ultra Naté on Apple Music, 15 March 2024, archived from the original on 29 April 2024, retrieved 29 April 2024
  19. ^ Bright Light Bright Light & Ultra Naté - Every Emotion (Official Video). Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  20. ^ Heartslap - Single by Bright Light Bright Light & Mykal Kilgore on Apple Music, 26 April 2024, archived from the original on 29 April 2024, retrieved 29 April 2024
  21. ^ Heartslap (Dave Audé Remix) by Bright Light Bright Light & Mykal Kilgore on Apple Music, 26 April 2024, archived from the original on 13 May 2024, retrieved 29 April 2024
  22. ^ "Bright Light Bright Light – Enjoy Youth". 13 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Instagram".
  24. ^ "'Enjoy Youth' Finds Bright Light x2 at the Top of His Game (Review)". 8 June 2024.
  25. ^ Gotto, Connor (13 May 2024). "Bright Light Bright Light – Enjoy Youth". RETROPOP. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  26. ^ Maunier, Sean (8 June 2024). "'Enjoy Youth' Finds Bright Light x2 at the Top of His Game (Review)". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Enjoy Youth by Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music".
  28. ^ "Enjoy Youth | Lavender version".
  29. ^ "Enjoy Youth". 13 May 2024. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024 – via Amazon.com.
  30. ^ "Enjoy Youth - Deluxe CD". Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024 – via Bright Light Bright Light artist store.
  31. ^ a b "Bright Light Bright Light – Enjoy Youth". brightlightx2. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 24/5/2024". Official Charts. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100 on 24/5/2024". Official Charts. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 24/5/2024". Official Charts. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  35. ^ Enjoy Youth (Deluxe) by Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music, 20 May 2024, retrieved 20 May 2024
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