“Have you ever thought of closing your mouth?”
Australian pop-rock sensation Yours Truly return with their debut LP, following the success of 2022’s sleeper hit Is This What I Look Like?. Toxic stands out as their most accomplished work to date. Driven by a palpable sense of anger, Toxic feels like a powerful “fuck you” to past grievances, delivered with an infectious catchiness that enhances its impact.
Yours Truly’s rapid artistic maturation is evident throughout the album. The band displays a more sophisticated approach to songwriting with a clear and thoughtful direction. This maturity is reflected not only in the well-crafted song structures but also in the deliberate tracklist ordering. The careful attention to detail shows the band’s dedication to presenting their best work.
The album’s sound palette demonstrates impressive versatility, though it maintains a cohesive identity. The selective use of diverse styles adds weight to the occasional departures from their signature heavy pop-rock sound. A standout example is “Love Feels Like”, which diverges with a drum and bass-inspired backing track, allowing vocalist Mikaila Delgado to showcase her impressive vocal range.
Tracks like “BACK 2 U”, “Sour”, and “Bloodshot Eyes” highlight the band’s skill in crafting powerful pop-rock anthems. Delgado delivers catchy vocal melodies that promise memorable sing-along moments during live performances. The instrumentation, consistently strong throughout the album, deserves special mention. The instrumental unit of the band, Teddie Winder-Haron and Henry Beard, deliver dynamic, engaging riffs and fun, danceable drum patterns, both of which complement the album’s stylistic vision without straying too far from its core sound.
Lyrically, Toxic explores themes of betrayal and heartbreak, likely reflecting personal experiences, possibly from Delgado herself. The lyrics carry a raw, spiteful energy that enhances the emotional depth of the music. However, this thematic focus occasionally results in less sophisticated lines. For instance, in Desaturated, the lyric “You’re so fake you burn like plastic, think you’re perfect and I’m so over it” comes off as simplistic. Despite this, the delivery often elevates these moments, ensuring they don’t detract significantly from the overall experience.
In summary, Toxic represents some of Yours Truly’s strongest songwriting to date. While it may not break new ground or appeal to everyone thematically, it offers a compelling blend of catchy pop-rock that sets it apart from the norm. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, this album has the potential to draw you in with its fresh and engaging sound.
8/10
Toxic drops on the 16th August through UNFD and can be pre-ordered here: UK/US/AUS.