Young Guns have finally grown up and found their niche.
High Wycombe's finest return after an absence of three years following the release of 2012's excellent 'Bones'. That album essentially announced to the world that not all Modern Rock is the preserve of the U.S. with Virgin EMI sitting up, taking notice and signing the band.
It should be no surprise that 'Ones And Zeroes' caters for the American market. From the smooth Techno-orientated production of Daniel M. Nakamura (aka Dan The Automator) and the keyboard fills, it's clear that YG would now rather be mentioned in the same breath as The Killers than some rough and ready British Rock band.
Gustav Wood's vocals have improved immeasurably since 'All Our Kings Are Dead', giving extra panache to songs like the 1980's New Romantic Rock of 'Memento Mori' or the shimmering TK-like 'Lullaby'. Keyboards twinkle throughout and although 'Ones And Zeroes' lacks the odd killer song that benefited 'Bones', it's a far more thoughtfully constructed and consistent album.
'Daylight', 'Rising Up' and the 30 Seconds To Mars-influenced 'Infinity' straddle the line between Pop and Alternative Rock with enough originality and intricacy to suggest that Young Guns has finally grown up and found their niche.
Mike Newdeck