You Me At Six - Sinners Never Sleep

“I’m married to the music / for better or for worse” sings You Me At Six’s Josh Franceschi on Bite My Tongue. Well, it all so nearly ended in divorce as they candidly reveal in the trailer for their eponymous documentary. “Sinners Never Sleep” sees the band venture into slightly unfamiliar ground with their fusion of heavier material with slower, more heartfelt songs.  Produced by the Garth Richardson who has previously worked with Biffy Clyro and Rage Against The Machine it has the calibre to be their best material to date.

Departing from the pop punk label which was harder to shake off than a leech; this album is bursting with stadium rock riffs and on first listen is instantly catchy. Opening with Loverboy, the first single to be released off the album is a storm of crashing drums and stomping guitars with the fade in gang vocals setting you up for a treat.

Bite My Tongue showcases Franceschi’s harsher sounding vocals whilst guest vocals from Oli Sykes, of Bring Me The Horizon provides hardcore screams. Likewise, Time Is Money with a contribution from Parkway Drive’s Winston McCall offers just about bearable roaring screeches, but does however inject brutality to the track.

The music switches between the upbeat to the slowed down. Closing track When We Were Younger stands out against the heavier tracks with its emotionally charged soft vocal melodies. Slow burners Little Bit Of Truth and Crash, which erupts into a hearty chorus, also stand up against the torrent of riotous songs.

However, what this album doesn’t ignore is quintessentially what You Me At Six excel at, mustering songs packed with anthemic choruses, explosive riffs, infectious beats and honest lyrics. Kerrang! crowned them Best British Band of 2011, Sinners Never Sleep just proves why.

Published in the October 2011 issue of the Huddersfield Student.