7/10

As one of the long-standing members of Canadian punk outfit Fucked Up, guitarist Ben Cook steps away from the shadow of his band to deliver his first solo album under the guise of Young Guv. But fans of Fucked Up will know that the band are as much about their uplifting pop melodies as they are about hardcore punk, and it is this side to their sound that Cook has decided to focus his own work on.

Armed with what seems like little more than a drum machine and his own guitar, 'Ripe 4 Luv' has this minimal yet expansive sound that likes to dabble in the once popular sunshine rock sound that the 90s was once riddled with. Mixing a laid-back tone with high-energy riffs, the album flows back and forth between these two staple influences and ultimately creates a record of sun-kissed elegance that likes to get its rocks off every now and then.

While fans of Fucked Up will still appreciate it, it is clear that Cook has been looking to create his own style from what he learned being in that band. It is filled with this undeniable joy and makes for a fantastic listen throughout.