Age looms just beyond the horizon; it casts its shadow just a little farther each day. As I’ve become more aware of myself, I can feel the frenetic idealities of youth solidify into maturity. For instance, I’ll be mailing my very first set of Christmas cards this year, including a well-posed photo of me and my family (of cats). While wildly attempting to photograph my two formerly feral cats, I thought of myself 10 years ago, eagerly on the brink of freedom. I was about to turn 18, and with all of my sass and determination, I had no idea who I was. Misguided as we may be in youth, that is the spirit that drives us.
Off the beaten track is where I am
Waiting for my own Athena
The crowd is high in blood, and crying sad This is just what it is
It’s what I call the fog of war
There’s nothing here that’s clear to me
This place is not, not you
It’s just not my day,
I’d rather take freedom, than smoking arenas.”
Ah, Young Dreams. The Norwegian collective orchestrates anthems true to its name, especially with Fog of War. The drums roll in with an appropriate, battle-like quality before the lonely vocals emerge with simple determination. Suddenly our lone soldier’s army appears with a swirl of synths and strings, and the battle continues. The band released Fog of War with a set of stunning and diverse remixes from Baio of (Vampire Weekend), Korallreven and Lemonade. While we wait a full-length, I’ll drink to my youth and the music that reminds me of it.