The Year of Hibernation

Last updated
The Year of Hibernation
The Year of Hibernation.jpg
Studio album by
Youth Lagoon
ReleasedSeptember 27, 2011 (2011-09-27)
RecordedLate 2010 - early 2011
StudioKung Pow! Studio, Boise, Idaho
Genre
Length42:20
Label Fat Possum
Producer Trevor Powers, Jeremy Park
Youth Lagoon chronology
The Year of Hibernation
(2011)		 Wondrous Bughouse
(2013)
Singles from The Year of Hibernation
  1. "July"
    Released: May 2011
  2. "Cannons"
    Released: May 2011

The Year of Hibernation is the debut album of American artist Youth Lagoon, the stage name of musician Trevor Powers. The album was released on September 27, 2011, on the independent record label Fat Possum Records. It peaked at No. 41 on the Independent Albums and No. 8 on the Top Heatseekers charts of Billboard . While no official singles were released, two of the songs were made available on Bandcamp prior to the album's release and two videos were made in support of the album.

Contents

Background

The album was written and recorded during a difficult period in the life of Powers, who was receiving counseling for anxiety which was causing him to develop panic attacks and a debilitating fear of death. This anxiety is referenced throughout the album and is a major theme along with fear, interpersonal conflicts, tension and heartache. [3]

To enable him to save up enough money to record the album with local engineer and friend Jeremy Park, he busked with his keyboard late at night in downtown Boise. He also ceased his counseling sessions, which had a negative effect on his relationship with his girlfriend. [4]

The album was recorded at Park's Kung Pow! home studio in Boise during Powers' Christmas break from Boise State University. [5] In an effort to capture a "band" feel, the initial recording sessions were made using Pro Tools, with Powers playing keyboards (including a Yamaha full-size electric piano), operating an Alesis SR16 drum machine and singing, while accompanied by Erik Eastman on a Gibson SG guitar. [6] As the album was recorded in a home studio, various rooms were used to enable certain sounds to be generated. Park's in-laws' large garage and shower room were used as reverb chambers, a bass amp was recorded in a master bedroom closet and the main vocals were recorded in Park's living room to enable different mic distances to be used. [7] The organ sounds in "July" were generated by recording Powers playing from both the kitchen and the living room, which generated a "spacious and ambient sound". [8]

Once the album was complete, Powers planned to release it online to garner interest, with the intention of distributing the full album for free online. [5] Powers issued two initial tracks, "Cannons" and "July", on Bandcamp in May 2011, [9] gaining interest from a series of music blogs, including a "Best New Tracks" designation from Pitchfork. [10] This resulted in Powers being picked up by record label Fat Possum for a two-album deal. [3]

Album artwork and title

The name of the album is a reference to Powers' feelings of hibernation through the process of writing the album. [11] While writing the album, Powers' anxiety increased, causing him to retreat to his bedroom to compose in an effort to deal with events in his past. When the album was finished, and his mental state had changed, he felt that his "year of hibernation" was complete. [5]

The album artwork was originally going to feature a picture of Powers as a child, but this changed following a family vacation with his parents and brothers. [5] The artwork for the album consists of an unedited photo taken by Powers on the Hawaiian island of Kauai during the trip. The holiday was significant to Powers as “everyone was growing up and moving out, and it was the last family vacation". The Seattle Times described the picture as "a glowing scene captured by a suburban, middle-class kid in love with the moment, wanting to hold it forever". [12]

Promotion and tour

Two music videos were released in support of the album, for tracks "July" and "Montana". Both videos were directed by Tyler T. Williams, a friend of Powers. The video for "Montana" follows "a man dealing with the death of his father who passed away in war when he was a kid", [13] with Bryan Parker from Pop Press International describing it as: "one of the most strikingly cinematic and beautiful videos we’ve seen in recent memory". [14] The video for July was described as "eerily sad" and "A bloody-nosed, apocalyptic affair" and drew comparisons to Lars Von Trier's Melancholia . [15]

To promote the album, Youth Lagoon embarked on a 19-date American tour in November 2011. [16] This tour was followed by a 34-date worldwide tour in early 2012 including performances in Japan and Europe as well as North America. [17] Touring restarted in July, including dates at the Ottawa Bluesfest, Pitchfork Music Festival, Capitol Hill Block Party and Splendour in the Grass festivals. [18] [19] On tour, Powers played keyboards, and was joined on stage by friend Logan Hyde on guitars. [4]

After a March 2012 performance at the SXSW festival, Bryan Parker from Pop Press International said of the live show: "When Youth Lagoon began, the crowd was engrossed from the first note. Though not as physically mobile on stage as SXSW headliners often are, Powers’ blatantly emotive delivery of his poetic lyrics captivated us with its rarity". [20] In his review for Timeout Chicago, Dave Satterwhite was less complimentary, saying that the music was "somewhat dancey, somewhat psychedelic, but not quite anything when the set was over" and that the crowd were "asleep on their feet, waiting for that moment of finality, of happy abandon". [21] Drew Litowitz of Consequence of Sound was much more positive in his review of Youth Lagoon's performance at the Rock and Roll Hotel, a Washington D.C. venue, describing Powers' voice as "exceptional" and the performance as "loud and penetrating, albeit minimal". [22]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.6/10 [23]
Metacritic 77/100 [24]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
The A.V. Club B+ [25]
Clash 7/10 [1]
Consequence of Sound Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [26]
The Irish Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [27]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [28]
Pitchfork 8.4/10 [29]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [30]
Spin 8/10 [31]
Under the Radar 8/10 [32]

The album has received mostly positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator Metacritic, a website which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 from reviews by mainstream critics, it currently holds a rating of 77 out of 100, signifying "generally favorable" reviews.

In his Pitchfork review, Mark Richardson said, "The record mixes feelings of protection and safety with the tug of adventure and wraps it in compulsively listenable music that explodes at just the right moments," while Consequence of Sound called the album "charming", saying that it "serves as a whimsical introduction to the magic of Youth Lagoon". Under the Radar rated the album 8 out of 10, and summed it up by saying, "The Year of Hibernation occupies many spaces at once, a seeming contradiction that makes better use of its incongruous pieces than most records do of its complementary pieces. The result is both mournful and joyful, but totally enjoyable". In her review for AllMusic, Heather Phares described the single "Cannons" as "lovely" and said the album was made special by the "vulnerability and empathy that radiate from every song".

It was voted the 50th best album of 2011 by Pitchfork [33] and 18th best album of 2011 by music blog Pretty Much Amazing, [34] with Ian Cohen of Pitchfork saying, "Powers' debut LP made a real and lasting connection like few other records in the past 12 months". It was also given an honorable mention among 2011 albums by Relevant magazine [35] and by music website Beats per Minute [36]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Trevor Powers

No.TitleLength
1."Posters"3:51
2."Cannons"3:44
3."Afternoon"4:10
4."17"3:56
5."July"4:46
6."Daydream"5:19
7."Montana"4:35
8."The Hunt"4:26
Total length:42:20
Bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
9."Bobby"3:22
10."Ghost to Me"4:08
11."Goodbye Again - Live on XMU"3:40
Total length:11:07

Charts

Chart (2011)Peak
position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [37] 8
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [38] 41

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Trux</span> American alternative rock band

Royal Trux was an American alternative rock band active from 1987 to 2001, and again from 2015 to 2019 consisting of Neil Hagerty and Jennifer Herrema (vocals).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomahawk (band)</span> American rock band

Tomahawk is an American rock supergroup. They formed in 1999 when singer/keyboardist Mike Patton met guitar player Duane Denison and the pair started swapping tapes with the intention of collaborating. Denison then recruited drummer John Stanier (Helmet), while Patton invited bass player Kevin Rutmanis (Melvins/ex-Cows). The group recorded three albums and toured extensively from 2000–2007 then went on extended hiatus, and reformed in 2013 with Trevor Dunn replacing Rutmanis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M83 (band)</span> French electronic music project

M83 are a French electronic music group formed in Antibes in 1999. Initially the duo of multi-instrumentalists Nicolas Fromageau and Anthony Gonzalez, Fromageau parted ways shortly after touring for their second album Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts. Gonzalez remains the sole constant member of the project, as the primary songwriter and lead vocalist.

<i>Beyond</i> (Dinosaur Jr. album) 2007 studio album by Dinosaur Jr.

Beyond is the eighth studio album by the alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr. It was their first LP in a decade after 1997's Hand It Over, and the first album by the original lineup since 1988's Bug.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santigold</span> American singer (born 1976)

Santi White, known professionally as Santigold, is an American singer and songwriter. Her debut studio album, Santogold (2008), received widespread critical acclaim for its cross-genre combining dub, new wave, and hip-hop. The album's second single "L.E.S. Artistes", reached the top 40 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wavves</span> American rock band

Wavves is an American rock band based in San Diego, California. Formed in 2008 by singer-songwriter Nathan Williams, the band also features Alex Gates, Stephen Pope and Ross Traver.

<i>King of the Beach</i> (Wavves album) 2010 studio album by Wavves

King of the Beach is the third studio album by the American band Wavves. It was set to be released in the USA by Fat Possum Records and in the UK by Bella Union Records on August 3, 2010, but digital copies became available July 1 as a result of early leaks. Pitchfork placed it at number 50 on its list "The Top 50 Albums of 2010".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How to Dress Well</span> American multimedia artist

How to Dress Well is the stage name of Tom Krell, an American multimedia artist, singer-songwriter, and producer from Boulder, Colorado. He began releasing music independently through his own blog around 2009 and via labels like Tri Angle, Lefse Records, Weird World, and eventually Domino later on in his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennis (band)</span> American indie pop band

Tennis is an American indie pop band from Denver, Colorado, United States, made up of husband-and-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley. The duo formed in 2010, and released their debut album, Cape Dory, in 2011. Their second album, Young & Old, was released the following year. Their third album, Ritual in Repeat (2014), was released on Communion records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Grips</span> American experimental hip-hop group

Death Grips is an American experimental hip hop group formed in 2010 in Sacramento, California. The group consists of producers Zach Hill (drums) and Andy Morin (keyboards), and vocalist Stefan Burnett, also known as MC Ride. Though he is not the group's frontman, Hill has been credited with being the driving creative force behind the project. Drawing from punk rock, electronic, noise, and industrial styles, the band's innovative and often difficult-to-categorize sound has earned critical acclaim and a cult following, while their aggressive performance style and cryptic interactions with their fans and the media have gained widespread notoriety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Powers</span> American musician

Trevor Powers is an American musician from Boise, Idaho. Powers was initially active as Youth Lagoon from 2010 to 2016, after which he announced that he was retiring from the project. He returned to music with a self-titled project in May 2018. In 2022, he took Youth Lagoon out of retirement with the announcement of a new album Heaven Is a Junkyard. Powers' music has been described as electronic and experimental with elements of pop.

<i>Reign of Terror</i> (Sleigh Bells album) 2012 studio album by Sleigh Bells

Reign of Terror is the second studio album by American noise pop duo Sleigh Bells. The album was released on February 21, 2012 by Mom+Pop.

<i>Heaven</i> (The Walkmen album) 2012 studio album by The Walkmen

Heaven is the sixth studio album by the American rock band the Walkmen, released on May 29, 2012, by Fat Possum Records and Bella Union.

<i>Wondrous Bughouse</i> 2013 studio album by Youth Lagoon

Wondrous Bughouse is the second album by Youth Lagoon, the stage name of American musician Trevor Powers. The album was released on March 5, 2013 on the independent record label Fat Possum Records. It peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard 200, No. 12 on the Independent Albums chart and No. 26 on the Top Rock Albums chart.

<i>Kveikur</i> 2013 studio album by Sigur Rós

Kveikur is the seventh studio album from Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós. It was released 12 June 2013 in Japan, on 17 June internationally, and on 18 June in the United States through XL Recordings. It is the only album to be fully released through XL after the band departed EMI and Parlophone during the label's acquisition by Universal Music Group in 2012. It is the only album since their debut, Von, not to feature Kjartan Sveinsson, following his departure in 2012, and the last to feature drummer Orri Páll Dýrason before his departure in 2018. The cover is a photo by the Brazilian artist Lygia Clark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Grips discography</span>

American band Death Grips has released seven studio albums, two compilation albums, four extended plays (EPs), one mixtape, six non-album singles, 16 album singles, three remixes, one guest appearance and 47 music videos. The band was formed by MC Ride, Zach Hill, and Andy Morin in Sacramento, California, during the winter of 2010.

<i>Savage Hills Ballroom</i> 2015 studio album by Youth Lagoon

Savage Hills Ballroom is the third studio album by Boise, Idaho-based musician Trevor Powers' Youth Lagoon project. The album was recorded in Bristol, England, and released on September 25, 2015 by Fat Possum Records.

<i>Mulberry Violence</i> 2018 studio album by Trevor Powers

Mulberry Violence is the fourth studio album by American musician Trevor Powers, and his first release under his real name. It was released on August 17, 2018, via Baby Halo. Recording sessions took place at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas. Production was handled entirely by Powers with additional production from Jason Kingsland and Tim Friesen.

<i>Capricorn</i> (Trevor Powers album) 2020 studio album by Trevor Powers

Capricorn is the second studio album released by American musician Trevor Powers under his own name, after previously releasing three studio albums under the name Youth Lagoon. It was released on July 29, 2020 via Bandcamp, including a limited edition run of cassette tapes and book, before being released digitally everywhere on July 31, 2020, via Fat Possum Records.

<i>Heaven Is a Junkyard</i> 2023 studio album by Youth Lagoon

Heaven Is a Junkyard is the fourth studio album by Boise, Idaho-based musician Trevor Powers' Youth Lagoon project. It was released on June 9, 2023, by Fat Possum Records. It marks Trevor Powers' return to the moniker after announcing the end of Youth Lagoon in 2016. It is his first album since recording two albums under his own name — 2018's Mulberry Violence and 2020's Capricorn. 

References

  1. 1 2 James, Gareth (September 26, 2011). "Youth Lagoon – The Year of Hibernation". Clash . Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Phares, Heather. "The Year of Hibernation – Youth Lagoon". AllMusic . Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Goodman, William. "Album Premiere: Youth Lagoon's Breakout Pop". Spin. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  4. 1 2 Matt, Frank (14 September 2011). "Interview: Trevor Powers of Youth Lagoon". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "The Boy From Boise: Youth Lagoon Comes out Of Hibernation". Interview Magazine. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  6. ↑ Park, Jeremy. "Recording A Lo-Fi Record - Part 1". Park Audio. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  7. ↑ Park, Jeremy. "Recording A Lo-Fi Record - Part 4 (End Summary)". Park Audio. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "Recording A Lo-Fi Record - Part 3". Park Audio. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  9. ↑ Beck, Lauren. "The Awakening of Youth Lagoon". The L Magazine. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  10. ↑ Bevan, David. "Youth Lagoon "July"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  11. ↑ "The Class Of 2011: An Interview With Youth Lagoon". Frontier Psychiatrist. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  12. ↑ Matson, Andrew (12 January 2012). "Youth Lagoon holds on to the moment". Seattle Times. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  13. ↑ "Montanz // Youth Lagoon". Arcade44. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  14. ↑ "Video: Youth Lagoon – "Montana"". Pop Press International. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  15. ↑ "Video: Youth Lagoon: "July"". Pitchfork.com. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  16. ↑ Pelly, Jenn (12 October 2011). "Youth Lagoon Announces Tour". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  17. ↑ Pelly, Jenn (15 December 2011). "Youth Lagoon Announces Tour". Pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  18. ↑ Coplanon, Chris (8 May 2012). "Youth Lagoon adds summer tour dates". Consequence Of Sound. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  19. ↑ Pelly, Jenn (18 January 2012). "Death Cab for Cutie Announce Orchestral Tour, Youth Lagoon to Open". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  20. ↑ Parker, Bryan. "SXSW 2012 Highlights Day 3". Pop Press International. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  21. ↑ Satterwhite, Dave. "Pitchfork Music Festival 2012, live review - Youth Lagoon". TimeOut.com. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  22. ↑ Litowitz, Drew (26 March 2012). "Live Review: Youth Lagoon at D.C.'s Rock and Roll Hotel (3/24)". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  23. ↑ "The Year of Hibernation by Youth Lagoon reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Reviews for The Year of Hibernation by Youth Lagoon". Metacritic . Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  25. ↑ Martins, Chris (September 27, 2011). "Youth Lagoon: The Year Of Hibernation". The A.V. Club . Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  26. ↑ Rearick, Lauren (September 30, 2011). "Album Review: Youth Lagoon – The Year of Hibernation". Consequence of Sound . Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  27. ↑ Carroll, Jim (November 18, 2011). "Youth Lagoon". The Irish Times . Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Youth Lagoon: The Year of Hibernation". Mojo (218): 96. January 2012.
  29. ↑ Richardson, Mark (September 29, 2011). "Youth Lagoon: The Year of Hibernation". Pitchfork . Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Youth Lagoon: The Year of Hibernation". Q (305): 137. December 2011.
  31. ↑ Hogan, Marc (September 27, 2011). "Youth Lagoon, 'The Year of Hibernation' (Fat Possum)". Spin . Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  32. ↑ Scott, Jim (October 14, 2011). "Youth Lagoon: The Year of Hibernation (Fat Possum)". Under the Radar . Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Staff Lists The Top 50 Albums of 2011". Pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  34. ↑ "PMA's 40 Best Albums of 2011". PrettyMuchAmazing. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  35. ↑ "Our top 10 Albums of 2011". Relevant Magazine. Relevant Media. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  36. ↑ "The Top Albums of 2011: Honorable Mentions". Beats per Minute. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  37. ↑ "Youth Lagoon Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Youth Lagoon Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.