Young the Giant released its sophomore LP on January 21, titled “Mind Over Matter.” The album is a solid follow-up to the success of their first self-titled album, digitally released in October of 2010.

“Mind Over Matter” kicks off with a unique 48-second instrumental introduction titled “Slow Dive,” which builds anticipation and ends abruptly before going on to the next song, “Anagram,” which begins slow and mellow.

The title track is one of the more fun songs on the album with a similar feel to the popular “My Body” from their first album.

The first single off the LP, “It’s About Time,” has a harder rock vibe, which remains a theme throughout the album. Whereas “Young the Giant” was very much a “freshman” album in the sense that the band was feeling out and experimenting with its sound, “Mind Over Matter” proves that the guys have advanced over the past several years to create something truly their own.

“We’ve just been trying to push the boundaries and get out of our comfort zone and broaden [our] voice as much as we can,” lead singer Sameer Gadhia said in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Gadhia’s words ring true as you listen to each track, and although many of the songs on this album have a similar feel to the first, after digging deeper, it is easy to discover how their voice as a band has developed tremendously.

arildefonso@mavs.coloradomesa.edu