Touring for the first time in four years on the back of their new album Heavy Heavy, Edinburgh trio Young Fathers arrived in Leeds for their O2 Academy show on Tuesday evening with a reputation for being one of the UK’s best live bands.
Their fourth LP is an early album of the year contender - a high-energy mish-mash of hip hop, soul, rock, gospel, electronica and more fused together into catchy and irresistible three-minute pop songs.
With so many moods and style to choose from in their eclectic back catalogue, they begin with soulful-tinged 2013 cut Freefalling before erupting into Get Up, a thrilling track that featured on T2 Trainspotting soundtrack. The tone is set for a breathless opening salvo that includes their post-punk live favourite Queen is Dead, which is delivered like an adrenalin shot to the heart as huge drums combine with tribal chanting and bone-shaking droning bass.
