Formed in the late 2010s in Chicago, Young Jesus began life as a relatively straightforward emo band. Early recordings garnered comparisons to groups like the Hold Steady, but by the time of 2017’s S/T, their sound had evolved into something much more improvised and experimental.

John Rossiter formed the band while still in high school and living in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Young Jesus released the Maybe Baby EP in 2011, and a year later their debut full-length, Home, appeared. The following year Rossiter moved to L.A. In 2015, they put out their sophomore record, Grow/Decompose, which built on, but also stayed true to, their emo roots. Following the record's recording and release, Shawn Nystrand, Garrison Benson, Peter Martin, and Cody Kellogg left the band. They were replaced by bassist Marcel Borbon, drummer Kern Haug, and keyboardist Eric Shevrin, who signaled a shift in direction as illustrated by 2017's S/T, which featured lengthy tracks, an improvisational approach, and jazz influences. 

That year, Saddle Creek representatives witnessed one of Young Jesus' live shows and offered them a deal on the spot; the label later reissued the record on vinyl. Just a year later, the band produced its debut release for Saddle Creek. The Whole Thing Is Just There was written and recorded over a three-month period and built on the improvised feel of S/T, with the closing track clocking in at over 20 minutes. July 2020 saw the arrival of "Root and Crown" ahead of the release of the full-length Welcome to Conceptual Beach. ~ Bekki Bemrose, Rovi

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