Album review: Yours Truly – Toxic

A rather dual-toned record, treading the line between punk and pop-rock, Yours Truly’s second album explores the ever-growing phenomenon of artists planting themselves smack dab in the middle of a plethora of genres to pull on. Bridging together punk, pop sensibilities, metalcore technicalities, and no shortage of catchiness, they leave no stone unturned here.

The first track, Back 2 U, embodies riot grrrl distortion and electronic synths, before Sour adds a stark contrast with a four-to-the-floor beat and heavy riffs. California Sober offers a more traditional pop-punk experience, before Let Go taps into the essence of the early 2000s. Adding in a string arrangement at the end of Let Go, meanwhile, propels the song to another level.

Love Feels Like, the shortest track here, is reminiscent of an interlude, all stripped-back instrumentation as singer Mikaila Delgado soars. Bloodshot Eyes is deceptive in its intro before breaking off into raunchy riffs and a chugging bass, and Sinking continues that post-hardcore sound, introducing dirty vocals into the mix.

Ultimately, the highlight of this record is the lyricism put forth by Mikaila. Raw, honest, reflective and emotive, Yours Truly break down what it means to be resilient and to rise above adversity, in all of its forms.

Rating: 3/5

For fans of: Honey Revenge, Against The Current, Hot Milk

Toxic is out now via UNFD

Read this: Yours Truly: “Everyone goes through shit periods. Find some beauty in the pain”