San Diego-based band, Future of Forestry, releases Young Man Follow, continuing their unusual ambient melodic rock sound. Front man Eric Owyoung's unique voice and an added combination of instrumental sounds, make it difficult to compare the band's musical stylings with anything else. It's easy to see why Future Of Forestry has been around for years and continues to provide listeners with extraordinary albums.

 

Title track "Young Man Follow" starts off the album with electronic sounds echoing and tinny guitar strums as Owyoung sings the chorus, "The time has come / old man callin' / so be strong / young man follow." The song is a bit slow moving, but contains a sense that this is only the beginning of an album that has much to offer.

 

Second track, "Come Alive" starts with rhythmic piano, as quiet drums and steel guitar enter, adding an interesting and unexpected atmosphere of sound. Owyoung sings the chorus, "Come alive / Don't let go / Love will be enough / You're stronger than you know…You are not alone." Ending with just the plunk of a piano, this song, like many others on the album, carries the same background rhythms throughout and progressively adds layers of sound, finally ending simply and just as it began.

 

"Feeling" is a bit more upbeat and contains a variety of sounds including xylophone, synthesizer, guitar, drums, and keyboard. The song itself is lyrically simple with Owyoung repeating, "I'm feelin' / Like I'm home again." There's something hopeful about this song and a little reminiscent of The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony".

 

Final song "Love Be Your Mantra" starts out with just strumming guitars and Owyoung's voice. The recording sounds unplugged and like something you would hear live. As the song progresses, hand drums and even accordion are added, giving it a bit of a folksy americana flare. The chorus goes, "Take what you're granted / Love be your mantra / Take what you're handed / Love be your mantra," perhaps encouraging us to make loving others the goal no matter what life brings.

 

Though Future Of Forestry doesn't seem to touch on many spiritual topics lyrically, the sounds they produce are quite ethereal and soothing, which almost leave the listener feeling surrounded by something otherworldly. It's quite difficult to accurately describe the sound of Future Of Forestry, which is a compliment to their uniqueness and the niche they've established as a band. Young Man Follow is definitely worth a listen and would be a great addition to any music collection, especially those looking for something out of the ordinary.