Music to Make You Cooler: Young the Giant

By Andrew Johnson

If you haven’t heard “Cough Syrup” or “My Body,” you probably haven’t been listening to the radio for the past two years. Young the Giant (formerly The Jakes) hail from California, where the nucleus of the band has been developing since 2004. In its current 5-piece form, the band has toured with Minus the Bear; they’ve headlined stages at SxSW; and unlike other bands with great radio play, they don’t suck.

Most noticeable about this group is the lead vocals (obviously, right?). Before crowning me Captain Obvious, take a listen to these guys yourself. Sameer Gadhia’s singing has a rich, deep quality that sounds perfectly crafted whether he is lulling you into the comfort of tracks like “Strings,” or raging against his natural impulses in “My Body.”

Check out their tune, “Cough Syrup,” below:

I highly recommend listening to their entire eponymous debut, as it represents a reliable summer sidekick; extremely enjoyable vocals, catchy lyrics, and infectious instrumentation that makes you excited about your destination, wherever it may be.