YOUTH NOVEL band releases new album “Made in Heaven,” diving into ketamine therapy theme
Youth Novel is back with their new track “Made in Heaven,” their first release in four years, announcing the upcoming LP I Went Through This Experience Smiling. The band, originally from Michigan, is now based in New York City, and is described as a screamo act. Known for their emotionally dense and chaotic hardcore roots, Youth Novel has crafted a raw and carefully layered sound that reflects their distinctive style.
Formed in 2012, the band disbanded in 2017, only to reunite during the pandemic. Guitarist Maya Chun and bassist Jon Riley, along with new vocalist Nathan Whittle, revisited unreleased material, resulting in the posthumous self-titled LP released via Zegema Beach Records. The album was characterized as “frantic, ’90s-style screamo” by BrooklynVegan, showcasing darker and more claustrophobic textures, with all three members contributing vocals to heighten the immersive experience.
With the new track “Made in Heaven,” Youth Novel explores the themes of treatment-resistant depression and ketamine therapy. The song’s structure and dynamic shifts mirror the stages of this experience, capturing the fear, beauty, and relief found in confronting such struggles. The band delves into the moments of peace that can arise when addressing internal battles, creating a musical narrative that resonates with listeners.
Maintaining their signature emotionally charged guitar work, pulsating drums, and intense vocal interplay, Youth Novel infuses the track with a classic screamo style that pays homage to their earlier work. The song’s themes of mental health, disassociation, and therapeutic introspection align with the band’s previous explorations of psychological turmoil, delivering a more focused and deliberate approach in their execution.
With cinematic pacing and intricate arrangements, “Made in Heaven” flows with engaging progressions, culminating in an outro that offers a sense of earned tranquility. More than just a reunion or a nostalgic callback, the track feels like a continuation of a narrative left unfinished. As Youth Novel prepares to release their new album, they are bringing closure to a chapter that started long ago, allowing their music to resonate with the weight it has always carried.