As the old adage goes, ‘time waits for no man.’ Joey Valence & Brae are only releasing their third full-length project, but it seems that ageing is already on the duo’s minds, seeping into latest record ‘HYPERYOUTH.’ The album is a heartfelt exploration of the question it poses from the off— namely, “does growing up just change your body, or also your soul?”— exploring that central theme through some of JVB’s slowest and most thoughtful material yet. It’s just a shame that those ideas are consistently less enjoyable than the more bombastic and energetic showings fans have come to expect, which continue to be the project’s main selling point in 2025.

Just as one does when ageing, Joey Valence & Brae are sounding slower and more fragile on their newest work: ‘HYPERYOUTH’ sets itself apart from the non-stop chaos of 2024’s ‘NO HANDS,’ indulging in a number of steadier, softer tunes. Though the duo can rarely stop themselves from throwing in the occasional ad-lib, much of the record is presented in a more reserved light than fans are used to— ‘IS THIS LOVE,’ for instance, finds its precise drum loops and hollering chants fading into the background behind gentle synth chords and melancholic deliveries on the mic. In many instances, the record maintains its sentimental mood even while throwing sh*t at the wall: cuts like ‘LIVE RIGHT’ and ‘MYSELF’ are hardly Frank Sinatra ballads, but they also feel far-removed from the endless aggression of ‘PUNK TACTICS.’ For the most part, the 808s have been intentionally neutered here— if anything, Joey Valence & Brae (together with contemporary artists ranging from Charli xcx to Tyler, The Creator) are threatening to inspire a dance-pop revolution rather than a punk-rap takeover. 

There’s clearly attempts being made to reinvent and evolve the JVB sound here: if anything, the duo could’ve taken greater lengths to set ‘HYPERYOUTH’ apart from its predecessors. Though the more balls-to-the-wall cuts on the record are positively thrilling (as we’ll be sure to touch on in due course), their inclusion can often undercut the message the group are attempting to dive into on this latest project— after all, why centre an entire record around the fear of ageing when you obviously still have so much gas left in the tank? More pressing, however, is the duo’s evident reluctance to pull back vocally. For all its wistful brass samples and lyrical woes, a number like ‘PARTY’S OVER’ falls flat because the rapping is still so aggressive— the style that usually lends this pair of musician their signature charm has begun to work against them shockingly fast, making ‘HYPERYOUTH’ an album caught in an awkward middle ground between conflicting sounds.

What these slower cuts succeed in doing, however, is supporting the earnest message that Joey Valence & Brae are attempting to convey here— though the aggressive retorts of ‘NO HANDS’ are far from absent in 2025, they are playing second fiddle to some more poignant commentary. Never before have the duo been capable of making the listener cry, except maybe with laughter: on ‘HYPERYOUTH,’ their sights are set right on your tear ducts.

“I'm kind of scared to admit I'm afraid of growing up

No one here wants to dance

Things are changing

As long as I’ve got my friends

Don't want this sh*t to end”

The fears the pair are dealing with here— that of the world changing around you, and of you changing too— are intensely relatable, and are only brought into greater focus via the various snippets of children’s vocals that crop up across the record: though the record’s central theme can feel a little diluted at times, it nonetheless hits all the right emotional beats. By the end of the album, the duo seem to have come to terms (to a certain degree) with the finite nature of life: JVB’s resolution to keep having fun is uplifting, and rounds the album out well.

“You won't really understand until you see it live

And for those who have, I wanna thank you

Don't let the money ever try to change you

One day, I'ma pour my heart out on the beat

But for now, I'm just living young, I'm living free”

Have no fear though: if you’re a fan of the duo’s previous work, ‘HYPERYOUTH’ continues to pack one hell of a punch when it wants to. Joey Valence & Brae’s punk-influenced vocal displays lend their more aggressive cuts a massive amount of impact, smacking you again and again with braggadocios bars and hilarious references— it should be no surprise to see feature artists as characterful as TiaCorine and JPEGMAFIA slotting in perfectly on ‘BUST DOWN’ and ‘WASSUP’ respectively, only adding more fuel to this roaring fire. Though the duo’s third LP isn’t attempting to be quite as arresting as their previous works, there’s no denying the sheer thrill that ‘BILLIE JEAN’ and ‘GO HARD’ evoke— if anything, these tracks just make us wish the entire album could’ve been this enjoyable.

Joey Valence & Brae obviously don’t feel comfortable sitting still— ‘HYPERYOUTH’ is a commendable attempt to push their sound forward, and that attempt often pays hefty dividends. Many fans may be disappointed that the record isn’t nearly as bombastic or consistent as ‘NO HANDS,’ and it’s really quite difficult to blame them: when all is said and done, the 3rd JVB LP is probably their weakest showing to date. Even still, the earnestness that the duo exhibit here— when contrasted with another healthy dose of punk-rap shenanigans— is more than promising. Given another pass at these ideas, Joey Valence & Brae could make something truly special: as is, ‘HYPERYOUTH’ doesn’t quite go the distance, but will probably still manage to put a smile on your face anyway.