Last month our country experienced a week of fear, uncertainty and shock. Last month our country descended into riots, seemingly led and largely populated by young people. It was a bad week for the UK, and it was a very bad week for young people. It seems that in the aftermath, instead of the governament talking about what can be done, how to improve relations in the cities, they have decided to bury it, Camerons response to the ‘issue’ is tough love…. harsh sentences aimed to teach a lesson. An answer? Its an attempt, a poor solution.

It seems to me that amid the recession, the government budget cuts and other big headlines, the young poeple of this country are being pushed aside. Funding cuts to schools, the price increases to further education, libraries being closed and other public services feeling the pinch; what is a young persons outlook on thier future in the UK? Pretty bleak i think. Were the riots really out of the blue? I think it was an inevitable outburst of frustration, a reaction to the fear young poeple are feeling.

I have been reflecting on this fear, and as always, listening to new music. I have particularly reflected on a stunning record called ‘Passive me aggressive you’ by New Zealand based band The Naked and Famous. The diverse record holds heavy influenes from Radioheads ‘Hail to the Thief’ MGMT’s ‘Oracular Spectacular’ and aussie rockers The Temper Trap debut album; ‘Conditions.’ Its an impressive debut album from this years great collection of records, and although sounds like an upbeat record, the lyrics hold deep, reflective and dark undertones.

Joint Lead singer Alisa Xayalith told NME magazine that a big part of her inspiration was young poeple and youthful spirit She said she “wrote lyrics that inspired dreaming and youthful exuberance” Their stand out track ‘Young Blood’ is like an anthem for the Skins generation:

We’re only young and naive still

We require certain skills

The mood it changes like the wind

Hard to control when it begins

I think that perfectly sums up teenage exuberance, constant changing emotions and a lot of inevitable confusion as someone goes through the complicated teenage years. And the song goes on to reflect on the difficulties of growing up in a westernised culture:

Can’t help myself but count the flaws

Claw my way out through these walls

One temporary escape

Feel it start to permeate

I’ve been working with young people for almost 10 years and one of the biggest challenges they (and I) face is fear. Fear of disappointing people, fear of the future, fear of relationships, success, money, popularity. Young people are put under so much pressure to do well - not thier best as it should be - but to succeed, mostly at the cost of themselves and their precious teenage years. This song is a foot-tapper, but i think it perfcetly captures the fear that young pelple have as they grow up. I hear adults say “I wish i was 18 again” all the time - but reflecting on my teenage years - i’m not sure i would!

Another stand out track on the record is ‘Punching in the Dark’ (recently used as the theme tune for reality show Made in Chelsea) 

Again another foot tapping, walking song but again another track with darker lyrics. Alissa sings:

All the lights go down as I crawl into the spaces

If I died on the screens

Life tearing at the seams

Way-yay-yay-yay-yay

I don’t ever wanna be here

Like punching in a dream breathing life into the nightmare

If it falls apart I would surely wake it

Bright lights turn me clean

This is worse than it seems

Its a song all about fear. The fear of growing up, taking responsibility, facing the future and feeling alone. Like Punching in a dream (a pointless act) - maybe facing a world where a young persons destiny is seemingly out of their own control. 

I think that this record reflects the current mood of the young people in our country. Looking to university, jobs, money etc…. it all seems a bit bleak. We need to be building up our young people, not dishing out wasteful ‘tough love’. How about just Love?! What if the government concentrated on funding youth opportunities, youth projects, youth workers and education? What if we told the youth that we loved them, and that God loves them. What if we painted a less bleak picture of the future, not by just throwing money at things, but by empowering young people to change the future.

I think we need to sit up as a nation and take some responsibility. Albums like this one are showing the cracks and the chasm that lies between adults and young people. We need to bridge that gap or the riots we saw in August won’t be a one off event.