Cult of Youth

Originally started as a bedroom recording project by former <a href="spotify:artist:6BEYUtnU8Bvtp7afs5Phpm">Love as Laughter</a> bassist Sean Ragon, Cult of Youth are a neo-folk band based out of Brooklyn. With a sound that's dark and pastoral, the band brings to mind a darker version of <a href="spotify:artist:2wzMOQwNT6ZvVB4amvhFAH">the Pogues</a>, merging effervescent acoustic guitars and thumping traditional rhythms, with Ragon's bellowing baritone adding an ominous spin to the bouncing sound. The project made its debut as a mostly solo effort in 2008 with A Stick to Bind, a Seed to Grow, which saw a limited released on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Dais%22">Dais</a>. Eventually, Ragon recruited a more permanent backing band, calling upon the talents of drummer Glenn Maryansky, violinist Christiana Key, and bassist Micki Pellerano. With a new lineup at his disposal, Ragon expanded the band's sound for its eponymous sophomore effort, which was released in 2011 on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Sacred+Bones%22">Sacred Bones</a>. Growth in the band's sound continued with 2012's Love Will Prevail, which married the neo-folk acoustic strums of <a href="spotify:artist:68wK3u9MnoZj5fFOFNTfwy">Death in June</a> or <a href="spotify:artist:7vF3DcPluq6lZI36VniagW">Current 93</a> to an almost chamber pop style of orchestration. Almost two years later, fourth album Final Days emerged, finding the project expanded from Ragon and various collaborators into a solid lineup including guitarist Christian Kount, drummer Cory Flannigan, and bassist Jasper McGandy. ~ Gregory Heaney, Rovi