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After making a name for himself with his hit single \u201cBrazil\u201d in 2015, British singer-songwriter Declan McKenna released his first full-length album, <\/span>What Do You Think About the Car?<\/span><\/i> on July 21, 2017. <\/span><\/p>\n The best way to describe McKenna\u2019s vibe is semi-sweet. With amazing vocals and a smile that even your parents would approve of, Declan uses his charm and talent to speak up for what he believes in and is a true contender to be the voice of a generation. Instead of being a product of media or forcefully fighting against it, he takes his songwriting and lyricism to acknowledge the issues of the modern age and encourage change. <\/span><\/p>\n McKenna opens the album with an audio clip of his sister asking him \u201cDec, what do you think about the car?\u201d, giving the album its unique title. In the clip, he responds, \u201cIt\u2019s really good, and now I\u2019m going to sing my new album.\u201d This audio clip serves as almost a highlight to McKenna\u2019s youth, since he was only 16 when \u201cBrazil\u201d gained international attention and was 18 at the time of the release of the album. While his age is often highlighted when discussing his success, McKenna proves to be one of the most mature and attentive songwriters of this era of indie-rock. He is one of the few artists who doesn\u2019t shy away from criticizing niche political and world issues, such as calling out FIFA and the FIFA 2014 World Cup in \u201cBrazil\u201d and detailing the misrepresentation of transgender teens in media in \u201cParacetamol.\u201d The latter song, in fact, was written in response to the suicide of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn. <\/span><\/p>\n While he hits on harder issues with certain songs, McKenna makes sure that this album will get you dancing around your room like you\u2019re the star of the latest teen rom-com. \u201cWhy Do You Feel So Down,\u201d the ninth track on the album, features upbeat synth and a beat that could hypnotize. In the music video for the song, released in October of 2017, McKenna dances in sync with a company that will take you back to an \u201880s jazzercise class\u2026 even if you never lived through the \u201880s. <\/span><\/p>\n Another shinier and more cheery song off the album is \u201cThe Kids Don\u2019t Wanna Come Home,\u201d returning to the aforementioned feeling of youth. Children sing the backing vocals to lyrics that criticize parents for misleading their children and raising them incorrectly. He recognizes that while adults may attempt to help their kids, they don\u2019t give their children a voice in politics or social opinions. At the end of the track, there\u2019s a recording of McKenna having a discussion with one of the children in the chorus. It truly embodies not only the youthful vibe carried throughout the album, but also shows how candid and honest he\u2019s willing to be to his listeners. <\/span><\/p>\n McKenna finishes the record with \u201cListen to Your Friends,\u201d produced by Rostam Batmanglij, artistically known as Rostam and best known for his former work with Vampire Weekend. He repeats \u201c<\/span>please trust in me<\/span><\/i>\u201d after some of the most powerful spoken-word lines to be released in 2017. He lists the problems of the world and how hypocritical the government can be, especially to youth. The song is ultimately a powerful ending to a core-shaking album. <\/span><\/p>\n