Isolated Youth – Love Locked In A Dark Room (2025)
‘Love Locked in a Dark Room’ marks a compelling return from Swedish quartet Isolated Youth, serving as both a standalone single and a tantalizing preview of their upcoming debut album miserere mei. The track holds particular significance as the first song written for the album and the one that caught the attention of The Horrors’ Faris Badwan during a live-streamed performance at the Norrtälje Art Center.
The song masterfully blends traditional blues patterns with post-punk sensibilities, featuring William Mårdbarg’s guitar work that transitions from classic blues strumming in the verses to an emotionally charged chorus. Axel Mårdbarg’s distinctive icy vocals add a haunting dimension to the track, creating a nocturnal atmosphere that perfectly matches the song’s themes.
Drawing inspiration from Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of isolation and connection in darkness. As William Mårdbarg explains, “…the song captures the essence of being trapped in nighttime environments and finding unexpected moments of brightness and purity that cut through the darkness – a metaphorical representation of love discovered in unlikely places.”
The track showcases Isolated Youth’s ability to create music that’s both introspective and accessible, influenced by their remote coastal hometown of Norrtälje. Their sound draws from post-punk legends like The Chameleons and Siouxsie & The Banshees while maintaining a fresh, contemporary edge. The production, guided by Faris Badwan (whom the band affectionately refers to as their “weird gothic uncle”), helps create a sound that’s both expansive and intimate.
‘Love Locked in a Dark Room’ serves as a perfect introduction to Isolated Youth’s upcoming album miserere mei, demonstrating their ability to blend gothic post-punk elements with emotionally resonant songwriting. The single effectively captures the band’s live energy while adding studio polish, suggesting exciting things to come from this promising Swedish quartet.
Find out more about Isolated Youth on their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
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