Two years have passed since the split of dynamic DJ trio Swedish House Mafia, comprised of DJs Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello. Axwell and Ingrosso have reunited as Axwell /\ Ingrosso, releasing several singles and embarking on a worldwide tour. Meanwhile, Angello has been hard at work on his long-awaited solo album, Wild Youth. The first chapter of the album was released on November 20, 2015 with the second chapter due for a January 22, 2016 release. If the first half of the album is any indication, then Angello’s return was well worth the wait.
While EDM is most closely associated with clubbing and raves, that does not mean that it lacks meaning. Angello’s Wild Youth provides a further glimpse into the soulful side of EDM, with some tracks that are perhaps more suitable for an evening drive than a full-blown rager. Departing from Swedish House Mafia’s high-energy, fist-pumping anthems, Wild Youth incorporates elements of indie pop and melodic lyrics as highlighted in the single “Wasted Love,” which features vocals from Dougy Mandagi of The Temper Trap, and “Children of the Wild” featuring Mako. Nevertheless, these tracks are still certainly danceable; “Tiger” has been a staple in Angello’s recent live appearances while “Prisoner” featuring Gary Go highlights a deep baseline, both of which have the potential to fit into many a nightclub set list. Also in the first chapter of the album is “The Ocean,” featuring Julia Spada, which is the most Swedish House Mafia-esque track on the album so far.
Above all, Wild Youth is turning out to be a deeply introspective album; the track that particularly stands out is “Remember,” which is accompanied by an equally impressive music video. The video depicts three boys running through the woods, with one boy ultimately separated from the group. If there was any doubt that the video, along with the song’s refrain of “And now you’re on your own,” is the embodiment of Angello’s reflection upon the breakup of Swedish House Mafia, a frame in the video cuts from the boy to Angello himself playing the same piano.
Listen to the first chapter of Wild Youth on Spotify below and stay tuned for the full album’s release next month.
