Young Allies – Watchman (2026)
What began as singer-songwriter and actor Fritz Michel releasing music under his own name evolved into the New York-based band, Young Allies. Joining the talents of Michel, Tosh Sheridan (guitar), Gavin Price (bass), Phil Kadet (keyboard), Isaac Gardner (drums) and Shelly Bhushnan (vocals), Young Allies explore something “more fluid and collaborative… shaped as much by interplay and instinct as by authorship”. Now, this group might be a relatively new one, having only two tracks on their Spotify; however, the lads are entrenched in the NY creative world, with several sharing roots in experimental theatre, particularly a connection to Elevator Repair Service. Join us as we delve into the most recent musical project from Young Allies: ‘Watchman’.
On the heels of their single, ‘Fingers Entwined’, ‘Watchman’ is the second track from the upcoming album, Fingers Entwined – set for release at the end of July. Produced by Michel, Sheridan and recording engineer Wayne Silver, the new single swirls indie-rock and folk into a shimmering but subdued rush of music. Rather chilled out and tranquil, ‘Watchman’ is one of those songs that can soothe the soul, calm the storm, and place a smile on your face. For me, it’s not just the sound itself but more the collective execution that makes ‘Watchman’ intriguing; a showcase of the camaraderie and instinctual joining of players.
Melodically, ‘Watchman’ is a song of nostalgia, memories, and hopeful whimsy – all lovely on an already tiring Monday. However, it is the lyrics and theme that add weightiness to a full-bodied song. Young Allies explain:
“’Watchman’ is a modernised take on a medieval song dating back to 1059. It was once a famous troubadour song from the Provence region of France. There’s something really catchy about the watchman, metaphorically and literally. The sentinel of the night, longing for the moment passed in reverie and reflection. Fritz was working on the chord progression before finding the text, and adapted the old story of dawn breaking as lovers meet in an orchard under a hawthorn tree.”
Like many, ‘Watchman’ is our introduction to Young Allies. With the promise of an upcoming album, I cannot wait to continue this musical journey.
Find out more about Young Allies on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Prospect PR.
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