Punchy. Raw. Epic. Sing-out-loud-awesome. ‘The Good Youth’ is the second studio album from Blitz Kids and is everything you’d expect from the English alternative-rock quartet…with a little extra on the side for good measure.

It has all the signature melodies and catchy choruses that made their first album, ‘Vagrants & Vagabonds’, so popular. But never let it be said the Blitz Kids don’t deliver. ‘The Good Youth’ also showcases a new direction and sound for the band in some of the tracks.

‘Run For Cover’ is a perfect example of this developed sound. It’s funky and feels a little cocky, not unlike the band themselves, perhaps this is why it sounds so damn right! It embodies Blitz Kids perfectly.

From punchy opening gambit, ‘All I Want Is Everything‘, to an ambitious album closer, ‘The Sound Of a Lost Generation’, Blitz Kids have really grown into themselves and their sound with this album.

Lyrically, ‘The Good Youth’ stands up to the strong sound with story after story in the form of sing-along anthems designed to strengthen your spine. This is established firmly in my personal favourite, ‘Keep Swinging’, when singer Joe James belts out: “When you’re down, keep swinging, ‘cos life is a mystery, but you have to face it on your own”.

While I’ve been extolling the virtues of the newer elements in ‘The Good Youth’, there’s plenty of the old Blitz Kids gang-vocals and rousing choruses to keep the die-hards happy and remind us why they are so fun to listen to.

Historically, the main criticism of Blitz Kids tracks is their loss of appeal after the third or fourth listen. It’s absolutely not the case with this album. I’m on my sixth play and I’m finding new lyrics and cheeky new riffs with every play.

Do yourselves a favour and give ‘The Good Youth’ a shot – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.