The legend of Young the Giant continues to grow with their second full-length album, “Mind over Matter,” which was released Tuesday.

Since their self-titled debut album, Young the Giant has gained popularity through such songs as “Cough Syrup,” the ever cyclical melody that sets the canvas for richly colored songs like “Apartment” and “My Body” that follow a similar spread.

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“Mind over Matter” seems to follow the same brush strokes without venturing into new territory. This isn’t to say the group’s second album is lacking. Where it stumbles in formulaic output and design, it makes up for in refreshingly candid melodies.

Bordering on what would be a captivating radio play, the majority of tracks from the album are produced in a relative scrawl. As with their debut, it is quite honest—it reaches not beyond, but rather lengthens what has previously worked well.

Still, it shows a lighted harmony and melody through a darkened lyricism. This is what Young the Giant does very well: capturing the subtle angst of the world, dim though it may be, and highlights the lyrics in clever notes. It begs neither indifference nor sympathy of plight; it calls to arms, showing what achievement through strength and perseverance can look like.

Beginning with the initial track of “Slow Drive,” it quickly dissipates from a crescendo of electronic resonance with the sound breaking and drips then like clamor into “Anagram.”

The listener enters with the soft voice of Sameer Gadhia when a sudden depth of melodic guitar and drum-taps beckon forth. The song relinquishes a polyphonic mode, which follows suit accordingly throughout, until a refrain of falsetto sets in behind a violin resonating key around the bridge.

Listeners scatter outward with guitar taps fading; we note here the distilled ambiance of the background keys and the melodic formula in the picturesque pop-driven sound.

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Focusing  attention toward the start of the middle section, we find again the catchiest of melodies never more so pronounced than in songs such as “It’s About Time,” “Crystallized” and, perhaps obviously, “Mind over Matter.” Each song has an array of differences; however, all employ the use of a melodic falsetto that greatly induces pleasant admiration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ObFJhX2nw

There is not a truly significant change between the debut album from Young the Giant and “Mind over Matter.” It is, however, the distinct falsetto and the trembling strong voice of lead vocalist Gadhia that captivates, enthralls and wisps the listener into a melodic symphony of bless when it strikes and streaks across the canvas.

If anything has been learned, it is beauty in a correctly-used aesthetic formula. But Young the Giant may be more easily heard through their beautiful three-part harmonies when playing acoustic sets, so cheers to hearing these songs acoustically performed in the future.

“Mind over Matter” can be found on Amazon, Spotify and iTunes.

Jake Saunders can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter @Saundersfj or by phone at 536-3311 ext. 254.