Aoife Power, the live-wire singer and bassist for Whenyoung, presides over a spiky and buoyant pop-rock sound that’s won praise from The Pogues’ Shane McGowan, who personally invited the band to perform at his 60th birthday party. Pinning down a pithy description of Whenyoung’s music isn’t easy — a spikier Pale Waves? a zippier Cranberries? — but one thing’s for sure: Songs like “Pretty Pure” seem crafted from equal parts spit and sugar, and provide a kicky, jangly jolt right when you need one.
Whenyoung from Limerick release their second single and it’s another sugar coated golden pop nugget that sparkles with a slick production and a song that demands repeated plays. Pretty Pure sits between the powerhouse sound of The Pixies and the indie jangle of Sleeper. On the flip The Collector starts all skeletal and delicate before things pick up and it moves in the same circle as some of Big Moon’s more delicate moments. It shows a different side to Whenyoung’s canon. Both sides are worth the admission price alone.
“Pretty Pure” out now on YALA! Records
The Fat Angel Sings 