WATCH: Young Mister Release New Video For Nostalgic Single ‘Still Young’
WATCH: Young Mister Release New Video For Nostalgic Single ‘Still Young’
Singer songwriter Steven Fiore’s latest is the definition of synth pop.
Words By: Garrett Kearns
The recording project of songwriter Steven Fiore — known as Young Mister — has released the brand-new single “Still Young.” The track has all the trappings of 80s synth pop. Young Mister’s lyrics capture the sparks of new romance and the explosion of fireworks from a first kiss. Great songwriters make everything sound easy, and YM does just that on his newest song. There’s an air of relaxed confidence in his vocals, and sure-footed certainty that only comes from experience. Steven Fiore has written for some of the world’s top artists while working for Universal Music and has clearly taken notes from those sessions.
The first verse is minimalist. Fiore eases us into the song by gradually adding instruments while he sings. This technique allows tension to build up to the first chorus, where the drums kick in with force and we’re launched into the single’s full sound. The bass and drums do most of the heavy lifting, providing the foundation for Fiore’s vocals. The exhilaration in his voice matches the lyrics. “I got caught up in the rush/I know you feel it too/So baby let’s move/While we’re still young.” The instruments stay mostly recessed in the mix, allowing the drums and vocals to take over. Acoustic guitar can be heard underneath everything else, adding to the steady rhythm. The melodic synth accents color the song in vibrant flashes of 80s neon, but Fiore never takes it too far. He holds back from treading into a complete homage. “Still Young” is contemporary but has the hallmarks of classic pop.
A brief fuzz solo leads into the bridge, where everything drops away except for vocals and acoustic guitar. The sudden contrast of loud and quiet centers our attention on the song’s simplicity. Young Mister cranks the volume back up for a final chorus that’s triumphant and jubilant. “Still Young” is clearly a reflection on the past with its nostalgic arrangement and subject matter, but at its conclusion the single bids farewell to a time period in our lives that exists in memory. While it’s worth remembering, the focus should be here and now. “Still Young” is an encapsulation of all these emotions, a snapshot of time gone by.
