Above all else, music is a way for artists to share stories, to materialize experiences and emotions when words fail to capture the essence. And sometimes, when you least expect it, a personal story finds itself sucked into this art of translation, coming out of hiding to share feelings that had been lying dormant for so long. ‘Boy From Manchester’, the most personal single to date of U.K. artist Youngr, is a sterling example of just that.
Released on leading dance music label Armada Music, ‘Boy From Manchester’ shares the story of Youngr’s Mancunian upbringing whilst encapsulating the essence of his live performances. Brimming with triumphant horn riffs, guitar licks and driving percussion, this super-personal production is set to light up the soundwaves all summer long.
“In October 2019, I took a solitary trip to the Swedish woods to write some tunes in a log cabin, and it was there that I gave birth to this song”, Youngr shares. “I think I am getting more nostalgic in my older years, looking back to my roots and wondering why I am the way I am. And this song kind of fell out of me then. I’m not sure where it came from, but it felt like it had been in my closet for years, just sitting there waiting to come out. I guess the lyrics are a giveaway to what the song is about, but it’s basically about not really fitting in with the Mancunian stereotype of football, cricket and Oasis. I quite disliked all of those things growing up, but as I got older, I actually started to like watching or playing a bit of footy, and I now LOVE Oasis! I’m also half American, so there was an expectation for me to like American things, which I also didn’t quite relate to growing up in Manchester. It’s safe to say I was pretty confused growing up. But all those little things that made me not fit in as a kid have ended up becoming the things I love most about myself as an adult. Funny how things come back around!”
Since breaking through with self-released debut single ‘Out Of My System’, Youngr has racked up over a hundred million streams and played over 160 shows in 45 countries, including sold-out tours across Europe and North America. The multi-talented musician stands out from the crowd with his unique performance style and one-take live videos of dancefloor-friendly bootlegs, with his bootleg of The Temper Trap’s ‘Sweet Disposition’ going viral and racking up over 15 million views in its first two weeks. Now an integral part of Armada Music’s artist roster, Youngr brings a refreshing perspective and change of pace to the table. His debut album ‘Memories’ epitomized that notion when it was released in the starting months of 2020, his brilliant bootleg mixtape followed suit in similar fashion, and this new single of his captures both his versatility and artistry in exactly the right way.
