Dan + Shay Young Review
Dan + Shay's near-year-long break from social media after winning their 8th AMA sent their fans into a frenzy, worried that the duo would not return. But alas, as always, there was something we didn't know, and Dan and Shay were spending time with their families (how dare they) and also, in their own words, "spending more time in the studio since we made 'Where it all Began' in 2013."
The duo have returned with Young, a 10-song whirlwind tour of where the duo are in their lives right now. Love songs, life-affirming ballads and living with Jesus, it's an album that slots nicely into Dan and Shay's portfolio without breaking new boundaries.
The album feels much more like a series of messages that the multi-award-winning duo wanted to tell. Title track "Young" focuses on guidance to a younger generation to live life to the fullest, while the anthemic lead single "Say So" feels like an impassioned cry to those struggling with mental health issues. Written in honour of former head of Warner Chappell Music, Ben Vaughn, who died by suicide in 2025, the duo offer their support to anyone else out there - "if you need somebody, say so."
The duo have returned with Young, a 10-song whirlwind tour of where the duo are in their lives right now. Love songs, life-affirming ballads and living with Jesus, it's an album that slots nicely into Dan and Shay's portfolio without breaking new boundaries.
The album feels much more like a series of messages that the multi-award-winning duo wanted to tell. Title track "Young" focuses on guidance to a younger generation to live life to the fullest, while the anthemic lead single "Say So" feels like an impassioned cry to those struggling with mental health issues. Written in honour of former head of Warner Chappell Music, Ben Vaughn, who died by suicide in 2025, the duo offer their support to anyone else out there - "if you need somebody, say so."
It must also be noted that religion plays a key part in the album, more so than in previous Dan and Shay pieces. It's not subtle either.
"Her, The kids and Jesus" is the closest to a Christian rock song I've heard in the country genre in a long time. The chorus, which shows off the tight harmonies of the duo, is almost anthemic and deserves a choir behind it.
In what is being coined the most emotional Dan and Shay album of all time, "Dogs in our Twenties" will undoubtedly make anyone who has owned a fluffy friend bawl their eyes out. Perfectly encapsulating the relationship between dogs and humans, I advise you to go watch the TikTok of Dan and all his dogs if you want to see the inspiration behind the track.
The only collab of the album is alongside country royalty Cody Johnson, a man soon to be playing on our shores once again. The song in question is another powerful one, "The Old Guys", which focuses on what would happen to them if their wives died before them. Cojo is in his element here, and his powerful vocals are a step up in what is definitely the most impressive sounding song of the album.
"Her, The kids and Jesus" is the closest to a Christian rock song I've heard in the country genre in a long time. The chorus, which shows off the tight harmonies of the duo, is almost anthemic and deserves a choir behind it.
In what is being coined the most emotional Dan and Shay album of all time, "Dogs in our Twenties" will undoubtedly make anyone who has owned a fluffy friend bawl their eyes out. Perfectly encapsulating the relationship between dogs and humans, I advise you to go watch the TikTok of Dan and all his dogs if you want to see the inspiration behind the track.
The only collab of the album is alongside country royalty Cody Johnson, a man soon to be playing on our shores once again. The song in question is another powerful one, "The Old Guys", which focuses on what would happen to them if their wives died before them. Cojo is in his element here, and his powerful vocals are a step up in what is definitely the most impressive sounding song of the album.
Maybe it's due to my impending wedding, but "Marry You Again" is definitely the most fun song on the album and feels Dan and Shay iconically. One of the first songs of the duo I ever listened to was suggested by my fiancée, "Can't Say No", from their debut album, and this really has the same vibe and is much nearer a fun pop song.
And while there isn't much wrong to say about this little album - and when I say little I mean it is so short at only 30 minutes - there isn't much to rave about. It's great to see the boys back making music, and hopefully a UK tour beckons.
Young by Dan + Shay is available everywhere now(LISTEN HERE).
Young Track List
And while there isn't much wrong to say about this little album - and when I say little I mean it is so short at only 30 minutes - there isn't much to rave about. It's great to see the boys back making music, and hopefully a UK tour beckons.
Young by Dan + Shay is available everywhere now(LISTEN HERE).
Young Track List
- Young
- Say So
- Marry You Again
- Forever Like This
- Her, The Kids, And Jesus
- Dogs In Our Twenties
- Already Yours
- The Old Guys Feat. Cody Johnson
- Bible In The Truck
- The Price Of Love