"I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do" Released: 18 November 2022
"Sweet Release" Released: 17 March 2023
"Boys, Etc." Released: 3 May 2023
"Down to One" Released: 15 September 2023
"You Want My ..." Released: 26 January 2024
"Every Emotion" Released: 15 March 2024
"Heartslap" Released: 26 April 2024
Enjoy Youth is the fifth studio album by Welsh independent singer-songwriter Bright Light Bright Light, released on 17 May 2024 through YSKWN! records. It features collaborations with Berri, Ultra Naté, Mykal Kilgore, and Beth Hirsch.[1][2] It marks his first studio album in four years, since Fun City (2020).
Background
Speaking with Tyler Damara Kelly for The Line of Best Fit about the process of the album, Thomas stated:[3]
"Things are pretty shit at the moment and there are times where I really feel like magic has been taken out of the world. I wanted to remind myself that life is pretty special and just focus on the joy we do have."[3]
Enjoy Youth was released through Thomas independent record label, YSKWN! on 17 May 2024.[6] It was made available on streaming, digital download, and multiple variants on vinyl, CD, and cassette.[7]
Singles
The album's first single, "I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do", was released on 18 November 2022.[8][9]
The second single, "Sweet Release", was released on 17 March 2023,[10] with an accompanying music video released on the same day.[11] The song was both written and produced by Thomas with Jon Shave.[12]
"Boys Etc." was released as the album's third single on 3 May 2023.[13] "Down to One" was released as the album's fourth single on 15 September 2023.[14] with a Halloween themed music video, starring Thomas, Ryan Miller, among others premiered on 13 October.[15]
The fifth single, "You Want My...", was officially released on 26 January 2024, alongside the album official pre-order with the date, title, tracklist, and album cover revealed.[16] The title of the song is a reference to George Michael's "I Want Your Sex".[3] A music video for the song, directed, edited, and animated by Tyler Milliron was released on 19 January.[17]
The sixth single, "Every Emotion", featured Ultra Naté and was released on 15 March 2024.[18] The music video for the song, directed by Naté, was released on 8 April that year.[19]
"Heartslap", featuring Grammy nominee singer-songwriter Mykal Kilgore, was released as the album's seven single on 26 April 2024.[20] A remix by Dave Audé was released on the same day.[21]
Connor Gotto from Retropop Magazine praised the record, calling it one of the strongest body of works of Thomas career, as well a reminder that Bright Light Bright Light remains one of "British pop's best kept secrets".[25] Sean Maunier from Metro Weekly called Enjoy Youth a "master class in buoyant, vibrant, glorious dance-pop", highlighting the record "captivating hooks" and "immensely satisfying dance beats", while stating that Thomas album "offers a gentle reminder that youth is a state of mind rather than a product of time".[26]
