Yonaka have quietly turned into a very big deal. This is a huge album.
The rule of thumb these days is that it takes about six years for a band to go from forming to having a proper break through. Yonaka were playing BBC Introducing Stages all the way back in 2016. This is only their second album but boy was the world ready for it. This is stadium ready indie-rock/alt-rock following the same kind of nu-metal hints that are transforming Oxford’s South Arcade into an international powerhouse.
This Brighton based group features Theresa Jarvis on vocals, George Edwards on guitar, and Alex Crosby on bass and keyboards. Five singles preceded the album and every single one was a banger. Moving from the intense rock of ‘Problems’ and ‘Cruel’ to the far funkier ‘Trouble Follows’ that feels a bit more in line with Portugal.The Man. That versatility extends into the album tracks where serious rock range is displayed. ‘Best of Me’ is their equivalent of ‘Blood Run Warm.’
This is impressive songwriting. Jump on their October tour now before the blow-up to the big leagues is completed.
Essential Tracks: ‘Problems,’ ‘Cruel,’ ‘Miss Millenial,’ ‘Eat You Alive,’ ‘Trouble Follows,’ ‘At The Beach’ and ‘Hit Me When I’m Sore.’
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