Yavin - Growing Up

by Q Review Staff

Well, well, well...queer pop is about to get a very delightfully addictive injection when Boston, Mass. artist Yavin drops his new album “Growing Up” on June 14. Sad-Romo boy Lauv needs to check his left because Yavin is about to pass him on the inside. Yep, this is that good.

There is a treasure trove of sparkling wonder here to fall in obsession with. From the finely crafted electro beats of lead single ‘Good Fun’ and that to die for low key delivered “On the count of 1, 2, 3 kiss all your worries goodbye with me” lyric, to the levels of style and production applied to the 9 song album that keeps you glued to that boy next door with just a hint of awkwardness voice.

The songs roll out with a tremendous sense of self awareness and vulnerability. There’s a trickle of nervous confidence throughout the album. An electricity that immediately takes you straight to that feeling when your hand rested against the hand of that boy you have the crush on, expecting to feel the quick move, recoil away from you, but it doesn’t come. And then you sit in equal amounts fear and exhilaration, waiting to find out if he’ll take your hand in his. What is happening? What does it mean? It’s that kind of rush.

There are definite stand out moments. Moments that lull you into a blissful state of smiles, and moments of cleverness like the album’s third track ‘Layers’ which if I had to guess is more than a little autobiographical. But it’s in the album’s center 44second ‘Love Letter to Old Friends’ that the it’s spirit can be found. A very quick but ultimately sweet and tender and honest piece for those who Yavin holds close to his heart.

As indie alt-Pop albums go, this is up there in it’s own beautifully quirk and spark patterned seat. It’s a start to finish experience that every queer boy (and a good number of girls) should hear. Not just because you’ll love it, but because you deserve it. This is an album I would have wanted when I was younger, daydreaming about that boy. It may very well become the album I play when I daydream about my husband. But it’s definitely an album I’m going to play. And you should too.

Let’s all grow up some with Yavin.
Yavin’s “Growing Up” lands on Friday, June 14 on all platforms.