Christian Band 'Young Oceans' Somehow Knows It's Love

Written by Rebecca Croft

Young Oceans are described as prayer music from Nashville via Brooklyn and that’s exactly what they sound like. Their album, Somehow I Know It’s Love, offers contemplative scripturally inspired songs of longing and intimacy with God. Tagged with christian, gospel, meditation music and modern hymns, it’s an album that aesthetically draws you into the secret place.

Producer/Frontman Eric Marshall writes about it on the Young Oceans bandcamp page, “I wanted to be as simple and as direct as I could possibly bear. Wanted to use as few words as I could.” That being said, the album is rich and vulnerable.

Their new single "Cutting Through" bears a similar feeling to this album, and they could rightly end up on the same mix seamlessly, but the album takes you on this extended journey through prayer & heartbreak.

Electronic landscapes build in my favorite track “Melt Our Hearts,” under lyrics that sound like mumbled prayers. Eric’s falsetto, crooning of the lyrics “...Turn to Me,” is like a sweet answer from heaven amid friendly handclaps, and I am reminded of the intimate and bluesy vibes of Josh Garrels' “Take Eat.”

I first heard the solo acoustic version of “Fine Hour” and was drawn in by the lyrics. It’s the story of a simple taxi ride turned euphoric vision after catching a glimpse of a wedding through the window. Bright piano introduces, as easy rhythms build into gratefulness and joyful rolling drums. Eric has recorded solo acoustic versions of many of these songs, and these can be seen on their Youtube channel. 

“Savages in Gold” feels straight from Ephesians chapter two and is the most meditative. The synths brood as a wretch, fully aware of his unworthiness and enmity towards God is led into the sanctuary by God Himself. The paradox of God’s gracious treatment towards sinners is lovely and lingering and the melody is soaring and hopeful.

Lyrics like “my Lord embrace me/I come to You thirsty” from “Living Water, O How Sweet,” epitomize the album's themes of humbly and boldly approaching God. It’s like 1950’s western cool, meets indy-rock vibes, meets prayer closet poetry.

Pining lyrics and beats that edit perfectly to roadtrip or horse riding footage, this album is the coolest to worship with. I am delighted by the aesthetic that keeps these songs on repeat and the lyrics that seem to come straight from my own prayer journals.

The album was released March 2024. Digital downloads, vinyl and subscriptions are available on Bandcamp.

Somehow I Know It’s Love, by Young Oceans

10 track album

Young Oceanskmilhous

.....

Did you enjoy this review of the 'Young Oceans' album Somehow I Know It's Love? Have you heard them before? Do you like this kind of music? Let us know down below (with sub) or on our social medias!