# Enjoy Youth

Enjoy Youth is the fifth studio album by Welsh independent singer-songwriter Bright Light Bright Light, released on 17 May 2024 through YSKWN! records. It features collaborations with Berri, Ultra Naté, Mykal Kilgore, and Beth Hirsch. It marks his first studio album in four years, since Fun City (2020).

## Background

Speaking with Tyler Damara Kelly for The Line of Best Fit about the process of the album, Thomas stated:
   "Things are pretty shit at the moment and there are times where I really feel like magic has been taken out of the world. I wanted to remind myself that life is pretty special and just focus on the joy we do have."
He also confirmed that the record will have collaborations with artists such as singers-songwriters Mykal Kilgore, Ultra Naté, Berri, and Beth Hirsch. The album's release was scheduled "to release in time for Pride Month" as well as Thomas' appearance at London's Mighty Hoopla festival on 1 June. Thomas revealed that the album's producers and writers include Richard X, Babydaddy of Scissor Sisters, Ian Masterson and Jon Shave, and that gay pornographic actor and social media personality Jonah Wheeler plays the accordion on the album title track.

## Release and promotion

Enjoy Youth was released through Thomas independent record label, YSKWN! on 17 May 2024. It was made available on streaming, digital download, and multiple variants on vinyl, CD, and cassette.

### Singles

The album's first single, "I Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do", was released on 18 November 2022.
The second single, "Sweet Release", was released on 17 March 2023, with an accompanying music video released on the same day. The song was both written and produced by Thomas with Jon Shave.
"Boys Etc." was released as the album's third single on 3 May 2023. "Down to One" was released as the album's fourth single on 15 September 2023. with a Halloween themed music video, starring Thomas, Ryan Miller, among others premiered on 13 October.
The fifth single, "You Want My...", was officially released on 26 January 2024, alongside the album official pre-order with the date, title, tracklist, and album cover revealed. The title of the song is a reference to George Michael's "I Want Your Sex". A music video for the song, directed, edited, and animated by Tyler Milliron was released on 19 January.
The sixth single, "Every Emotion", featured Ultra Naté and was released on 15 March 2024. The music video for the song, directed by Naté, was released on 8 April that year.
"Heartslap", featuring Grammy nominee singer-songwriter Mykal Kilgore, was released as the album's seventh single on 26 April 2024. A remix by Dave Audé was released on the same day.
The eighth single, "Snap!" featuring Berri, was released, alongside an extended version, as the album latest single on 27 September.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| Retropop Magazine | |
| Classic Pop Magazine | |
| Metro Weekly | |
Connor Gotto from Retropop Magazine praised the record, calling it one of the strongest body of works of Thomas career, as well a reminder that Bright Light Bright Light remains one of "British pop's best kept secrets". Sean Maunier from Metro Weekly called Enjoy Youth a "master class in buoyant, vibrant, glorious dance-pop", highlighting the record "captivating hooks" and "immensely satisfying dance beats", while stating that Thomas album "offers a gentle reminder that youth is a state of mind rather than a product of time".

## Personnel

Credits:
* Rod Thomas — songwriter (all tracks), producer (track 4–10,12-16)
* Ian Masterson — songwriter, producer (track 1,2)
* Berri — vocals (track 2)
* Jon Shave — songwriter, producer (track 3,6,10,12)
* Sam Harper — backing vocals (track 3)
* Ultra Naté — vocals (track 4)
* Mykal Kilgore — vocals, songwriter (track 6)
* Scott Hoffman — songwriter, producer (track 10)
* Richard X — songwriter, producer (track 11)
* Beth Hirsch — vocals (track 12)
* Jonah Wheeler — accordion (track 12)
* Megan Vice — vocals, songwriter (track 15)

## Charts

Chart performance for Enjoy Youth :
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 10 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 60 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) | 3 |

## Release history

Release history and formats for Enjoy Youth :
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label(s) | Ref. |
| Various | 17 May 2024 | CDdigital downloadstreamingvinyl LP | Standard | YSKWN! | |
| Various | 20 May 2024 | digital downloadstreaming | Deluxe | YSKWN! | |