‘The Room Beneath My Skin’ is the third single from brotherly band Young Astronaut ahead of their upcoming EP, ‘Pirouette & Fall’. This song offers up complimentary verses to earnest commentary about good intentions and the constant challenge of being your true self.
The song opens with an almost lullaby-like melodic lead guitar riff that strikes comparisons to mid-2000s indie like Bloc Party or even Courteeners’ ‘Please Don’t’. The delicate nature of the lead is highlighted by the raw, surging depth of the bassline and the steady drumbeat. Ambient breakdowns and a real change of pace shine a light on the band’s certain dexterity – especially when a layered lead vocal makes way for subtle orchestral swells. Young Astronaut intend to hit even those with the most impenetrable emotions.
Formed in 2012, by brothers Chris and Pete Boakes, Young Astronaut have been joined by bassist Paul Meeson and drummer Alex Esp. They’ve toured away to a cult following, covering almost the entirety of London’s backroom venues. From Camden Assembly, to The Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, the band have been ever present in the capital. They’ve even played further afield with shows in Beijing, Chengdu and Hong Kong reflecting a diversity and will to get their sound out there.
They’ve played with the likes of The Lottery Winners, Rural Alberta and Night Flowers. Yet, individually Young Astronaut’s work has brought them acclaim. Their first two full length albums, the folk driven ‘Fawn’ and the rockier ‘A Gold Frontier’ earned the four-piece national radio play on BBC Radio 6 Music. Plus, their hard work culminated in a feature on the BBC Introducing podcast - as well as the Canadian film ‘Clara’.
The upcoming EP ‘Pirouette & Fall’ was started before the pandemic and finished in between lockdowns in studios and bedrooms. It was produced, engineered and mixed by ex-bandmate, Niko Battistini (Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek), and was mastered by Robin Schmidt (The 1975, Liam Gallagher). The band are clearly happy with their new material: “It features the punchiest and most-melodic songs we've written to date and showcases our ability to draw together a distinguished soundscape with intimate lyrics and soaring vocals.”
‘The Room Beneath My Skin’ aims to build on the success of their two singles ‘Hope’ and ‘Hellions’ which received international radio play (Charlie Ashcroft at Amazing Radio), were featured on tastemaker playlists (like DistroKid Alternative) and numerous blogs.