SINGLE REVIEW: Hidden Youth - Upright
Hidden Youth’s 'Upright' is a striking, emotionally charged journey, weaving through the highs and lows of mental health struggles with raw intensity and thoughtful nuance. Leeds’ five-piece outfit delivers something unflinchingly honest, pulling no punches in its portrayal of resilience and internal conflict.
The track opens with a slow-burning, drum-led introduction, setting a contemplative tone before expanding into a rugged, melodic downpour. The emo-tinged textures bring shades of PUP’s signature catharsis, but with a distinctly DIY punk spirit that keeps it grounded and authentic. Heavy, guitar-driven instrumentation anchors the emotion, giving the song a weight that feels lived-in rather than manufactured. Just when it settles into its stormy disposition, it shifts gears—embracing a pop-punk-infused energy, brimming with singalong-ready hooks and explosive, effervescent guitars.
Vocally, 'Upright' thrives on contrast. There’s a multifaceted fluidity as it oscillates between raw, ragged edges and moments of perfectly pitched clarity before tearing into full-throttle screams. As the song progresses, it dips into introspective, modern baseball-esque territory—a moment of dreamlike reflection, letting the tempo breathe, heightening the catharsis before launching back into its final surge. The ebb and flow mirror the unpredictable, cyclical nature of mental health: the quiet reflection, the fire-driven release. It’s this juxtaposition—the harder, harsher backbone playing against the quieter spaces—that makes 'Upright' feel so deeply connected to its theme. Hidden Youth captures that struggle with striking precision, crafting a song that doesn’t just tell a story but embodies it.
