After a period of complete transformation for Yours Truly over the last couple of years, fans were unsure what the future would hold for this Sydney-based pop-punk group. What started in 2016 as a four-piece with their first EP in the making has now re-emerged, two founding members down, with their second full length under their belts along with a fresh and exciting creative process.
2017 saw the release of the band’s first EP, Too Late For Apologies, including debut singles Winter and Strangers which both received radio airplay, establishing the emerging artist Yours Truly as one of the ones to watch in the 2010s’ pop-punk explosion. Following this and another EP in 2019, the release of their debut album Self Care in 2020 sent them soaring into the top 20 of the Australian charts as well as onto several award nomination lists. At this point, the band’s potential was undeniable and it seemed they would only continue on this upwards trajectory. However, the future of the band began to look uncertain as they lost two of their founding members, Lachlan Cronin (guitarist) and Bradley Cronan (drums), who parted ways with Yours Truly in 2023 to explore other interests.
In 2024, remaining founding members Mikaila Delgado (vocals) and Teddie Winder-Haron (guitar) welcomed Henry Beard into the band as their new drummer, before setting into motion the release of their latest album Toxic. Rather than marking the beginning of the end as many feared the record would, Toxic has instead triggered a recalibration of Yours Truly, from which they have emerged stronger than ever. Lead vocalist and frontwoman Mikaila described Toxic as a learning album that allowed the band to figure things out within themselves and heal in a way that previous creative projects hadn’t quite managed, pushing through difficult places of grief and confusion in order to lead them to a place of empowerment. This shift in the creative process seems to have produced what could just be their best work yet, as Toxic channels the band’s undeniable energy and unapologetic vulnerability into a bold, reflective record that captures a whole storm of emotions within any healing process.
Toxic kicks into gear at full speed with the high-tempo, light beat and catchy guitar of Back 2 U. Without wasting any time, the song dives headfirst into Yours Truly’s dynamic production that dances carefully between heavy, delicate and catchy. A combination of playful vocal chants and chugging guitars lead us into the main body of the song, setting the scene for the rest of the album, complimented by intermissions of more stripped back segments allowing the vocals to shine through. Each chorus hits at full velocity with a driving force of Teddie’s roaring guitars, Henry’s thumping drums and Mikaila’s strong vocals, reassuring listeners that despite this transformation the band has not lost a single ounce of strength or power. While certainly holding a lot of pain, the repeated chant of “I heard you say nothing can last forever” almost sounds taunting and like a challenge to disprove this statement rather than completely begin moving on.
A seamless transition leads into next track Sour, a darker and more bitter song but one that is undeniably catchy, making it a deserving single within the album’s life cycle and one that has already received a lot of love since its release. Led by a bouncy drum beat and impenetrable layers of guitar, the band translate heartbreak and betrayal into pure energy whilst still maintaining their signature edge. Mikaila delivers vocals with a power to stand strong alongside the other musical components and with a sassy angst that can be felt as strongly within the body as it is heard through the ears.
California Sober brings a lighter energy back into the mix with a classic-style pop-punk banger. Another of the album’s singles, listeners may already be familiar with this shining example of the band’s ability to dance between stripped back verses and hard-hitting maximalist choruses. While Mikaila’s rich layers of vocals remain unwavering throughout, the track is shaped by its percussion and guitars to keep things moving. This formula follows through into Let Go, showcasing the full range of Mikaila’s vocals as she hits note after note with unmatched power shying away from some more vulnerable moments. During the quiet moments of this song it is alltoo easy to imagine the sound of an eager crowd filling the space. If it weren’t already clear, it is, by now, evident that with this album the band will be unstoppable on their upcoming tours.
All That I’m Not shocks the system with a more mellow sound as the rage of the last few songs fizzles temporarily into raw pain and sadness led by delicate vocals and stripped back instrumentals. This doesn’t last long though, as a crescendo of drums, guitars and synths bring a feeling of strength and determination following this moment of softness. Love Feels Like is a short but sweet showcase of the band’s ability to stretch away from their signature pop-punk formula we have so far seen stronger than ever. Echoes of dreamy guitar and gentle, flowing vocals are tied together with a soft drum-and-bass beat, putting a lighter spin on Yours Truly. Not for long though, as Bloodshot Eyes marks a swift return to the band’s iconic, hard-hitting sound with a catchy, angsty headbanger. Sharp guitars slice through each beat, making it impossible not to bob your head at least slightly, the vocals hit with new-found passion and Henry’s drumming reaches new highs as they build towards a satisfying finish.
With a more timid entrance, a distant drum beat and soft, electronic voice brings us to Sinking, floating along the surface for a few moments to catch our breath before diving headfirst into the band’s heavier range. The lead vocals once again alternate between delicate and bold, though this time accompanied with powerful screaming vocals, combining the strength and anger of the previous songs with a sort of raw desperation and unwillingness to ‘sink’ deeper into these treacherous conditions.
Desaturated channels this reluctance to settle and determination to move on into a playful, high energy sound with sound effects and sassy vocals, releasing hold of the rage that has been building throughout this album and delivering it with a spiteful punch. While carrying a ‘don’t care anymore’ attitude through most of the song, this is contrasted towards the end as we are brought back down to earth with sincere, heartfelt lyrics in which Mikaila sings of the realisation that she deserves better and the beginning of her fight for it.
And with that we reach the grand finale of Call My Name, a powerful, anthemic end to the album fans have already fallen in love with following its release as a single. After a muffled, distant introduction, the song bursts into focus with a crystal clear baseline and solid vocals, allowing each individual element to shine individually before coming together for one final send off of this toxic person. Where the album began with a longing to hold onto the last bit of hope and a desperation to get Back 2 U, this final song signifies a full circle to the record as the band is not only accepting but choosing this final ending. With the record’s last, and perhaps most powerful, bridge, Mikaila declares that it “takes seven years to regenerate when we go our separate ways”, making it clearer than ever that this is it. This is the end, despite how much that person may “keep calling my name”.
Toxic is everything and more that Yours Truly fans could’ve hoped for in their new album. Following changes over the last year that would have broken up many other bands, this complete reconstruction of the band and shift in its creative process seems to have instead tightened their synergy and brought new life to an already prosperous group, making them a force to be reckoned with within the modern day pop-punk world. Alongside the release of Toxic, Yours Truly have a massive year ahead of them, accompanying this album release with a headline tour across Europe as well as supporting Enter Shikari and You Me At Six on their US tour. With the amount of energy the record already carries just through headphones, these new songs will doubtlessly be lethally exciting ammunition to the band’s belt as they curate their setlists from now on.
For fans of: Stand Atlantic, Against The Current, Hot Milk
‘Toxic’ by Yours Truly is out now on UNFD.
Words by Heather Swift
