News: Youth Valley release cerberus, first glimpse of upcoming album as passive aggressive as it gets

Athens-based outfit Youth Valley return with “cerberus”, a striking new single that introduces the sonic and emotional direction of their upcoming sophomore album, as passive aggressive as it gets, set for release via Fine! Records.

Blending post-punk intensity with shoegaze textures and dream-pop atmospherics, Cerberus captures Youth Valley at their most vulnerable and unfiltered. The track unfolds as a deeply personal confession — a narrative shaped by guilt, anger, and the fragile hope for redemption. Lyrically, it explores the psyche of a fractured individual searching for forgiveness, symbolized through the haunting image of a three-headed guardian — a clear nod to the mythological Cerberus — both protective and inescapable.

Musically, the band leans into dense, reverb-heavy guitars and immersive sound design, while maintaining a raw emotional core. In a subtle but meaningful creative choice, part of the original studio session — including real-time conversations during recording — remains embedded in the final track, reinforcing the idea that human imperfection and spontaneity cannot be replicated.

The band features:

Joseph Powell — vocals, guitars

George V — guitars

Dean Jola — drums, percussion

Aki Rei — guitars, keys

Alex Bolpasis — bass

The single was recorded and mixed by Alex Bolpasis at Suono Studio, co-produced by Bolpasis and Powell, and mastered by Nick Townsend at Infrasonic Sound.

Accompanying the release is an official video, directed and filmed by Vasilis Kehagias, with additional footage by Thanos Gallos and Stelios Zoidis, further amplifying the track’s dark, introspective tone.

Following their 2020 debut EP, Youth Valley continue to refine their identity — merging nostalgic haze with emotional urgency. With Cerberus, they set the stage for a record that promises to be heavily emotional, unapologetically dark, and sonically expansive.

The single was released on March 13, 2026, and is now available across digital platforms.