Metric closed out their 2009 album Fantasies with “Stadium Love,” a track made for cranking up sound systems to eleven. On “Youth Without Youth,” the first single from their forthcoming album Synthetica, the Canadian quartet is still aiming for the cheap seats, but this time there’s a serious message behind the arena-sized sound.

“Youth Without Youth” is “a story about the decaying social state through the eyes of a depraved child,” says Metric frontwoman Emily Haines in audio commentary posted with bandmate Jimmy Shaw. The pair describe the track as capturing the idea that the older generation is selling out the younger generation, essentially depriving children of their childhood.

Helping lift the heavy subject of “Youth Without Youth” is an electric Gary Glitter-ish production. “Sonically, we went for kind of like a ’70s sleaze. It’s always a good way to disguise any kind of political statement,” says Haines. “Or morose sadness,” offers Shaw.

Here’s the full tracklisting for Synthetica, out 6/12 on their own Metric Music International label:

01 “Artificial Nocturne”
02 “Youth Without Youth”
03 “Speed The Collapse”
04 “Breathing Underwater”
05 “Dreams So Real”
06 “Lost Kitten”
07 “The Void”
08 “Synthetica”
09 “Clone”
10 “The Wanderlust”
11 “Nothing But Time”

Metric’s website has details on limited editions, exclusive bundles with bonus tracks, and tickets to their upcoming tour.

Purchase Metric – “Youth Without Youth” via iTunes or the band’s website.