Yung is the project of Mikkel Holm Silkjær, a UK hip hop artist from the United Kingdom. It begins as a home-recording outlet for songs that do not fit elsewhere, with Silkjær writing and recording material by himself for several years before the project becomes a live band. Raised by two music obsessives, he first tries to avoid music altogether, but that resistance fades in his mid-teens and turns into a bright, hook-led form of punk.

Background

Silkjær names the project after a reference to The Big Lebowski. The name reflects the mixture of offbeat humour and darker themes that runs through the music. Yung is described as the place where he puts songs that feel too personal or self-driven for a group setting.

For about five years, Silkjær records Yung songs at home without wider attention. The project only becomes public when his father finds the music on his laptop during a trip to New York City. From there, Yung grows from a studio project into a live band.

Live band line-up

When Yung starts playing live, Silkjær is joined by Frederik Nybo Veile on drums, Tobias Guldborg Tarp on bass, and Emil Zethsen on additional guitar. The songs remain Silkjær’s, and he sings them with a direct, urgent style.

Releases and activity

Yung first issues a number of limited-release EPs in Denmark, then tours and attracts international attention with energetic, melodic punk songs. The debut full-length Falter is released in Denmark, and a shortened version appears as the Alter EP. Silkjær then releases These Thoughts Are Like Mandatory Chores, a six-song EP written after the first touring period, followed by the full-length A Youthful Dream.

Sound

The music is described as melody-driven punk with a hook-heavy, bright sound, alongside a fierce and urgent delivery. It sits within garage rock, punk, indie rock, and garage contexts.