| Cavalier Youth | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 January 2014 | |||
| Recorded | July–August 2013 | |||
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| Length | 41:10 | |||
| Label | BMG | |||
| Producer | Neal Avron | |||
| You Me at Six chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Cavalier Youth | ||||
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Cavalier Youth is the fourth studio album by English rock band You Me at Six, released on 27 January 2014 through BMG. A few months after the release of their third studio album Sinners Never Sleep, the band had started writing new material in early 2012. By the end of that year, they left their label Virgin Records and management; pre-production and further writing followed into early 2013. Neal Avron was enlisted to produce the band's next album, which was recorded in July and August 2013 at NRG Studio and Avron's home studio La Casita, both in Los Angeles, California. Cavalier Youth is an alternative rock and pop rock album, which saw input from the rest of the band members on the lyrics.
"Lived a Lie" was released as the lead single in September 2013, which was promoted with a headlining US tour, and then a support slot for Thirty Seconds to Mars in the United Kingdom. "Fresh Start Fever" was released as the album's second single in December 2013. "Room to Breathe" was released as the album's third single in March 2014, while the Cold Night EP appeared the next month. Both of these coincided with a tour of mainland Europe and the UK. "Forgive and Forget" was released as the album's fifth single December 2014, which was then followed with a co-headlining UK arena tour with All Time Low. They then toured Australia and appeared at the Slam Dunk and Isle of Wight Festivals.
Cavalier Youth received generally favourable reviews from music critics, some highlighting its arena sound, while others felt that the songs were uninspired. The album topped the Scottish and UK Albums Chart, as well as reaching the top 40 in Australia, Ireland and Sweden. Alongside this, it peaked at number 124 on the US Billboard 200. "Lived a Lie" charted at number 11 in the UK, while "Hope for the Best" and "Fresh Start Fever" reached lower positions. "Room to Breathe" charted at number 40 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart. Cavalier Youth was ranked within the top 20 on Kerrang! and Rock Sound's lists for the top 50 albums of the year. "Fresh Start Fever" won the Best Single Award at the 2014 Kerrang! Awards.