Yanqui- album review

There are times when one has to worry about the fate of the rock-band. These times don't come often, but when they do they're certainly convincing. Yanqui are a fine example of an electronic-based band with the potential to, quite frankly, get people worrying. Yanqui's self-titled debut offers a literal spectrum, covering everything from dance numbers to dark brooders. But where did they come from? All that can be found of the group is a self-released EP dated October 12th and a location (Brooklyn). It seems as though Yanqui are just one of the many acts of this age; establishing themselves through online platforms and blogs, which isn't a bad thing. If anything, the group are a fine example of how the in the past few years the industry has been spun on it's head until it vomits.

The opening track for Yanqui, "On Waves",  is a dizzy and outright catchy number that could be buried amongst any DJ set, with it's distinctly 80's synth hooks and beats. Layers of shimmering guitar (a constant throughout the collection) glisten across the song above cloudy pads and as the song breaks out, it's hard not to want more dance-material. To some extent, this is granted in the follower, "So Clear", but it's hard to not focus on the dreamy harmonising vocals and be sucked into their down-beat melodies. The track carries the same beautiful, broody tension of any Massive Attack number as it teases with false crescendos and sub-bass, but never seems to go quite beyond that.
In a seemingly deliberate contrast to this, the tender "Hiding Places" leaves the listener fragile and absorbed in the erethral guitar/synth ensemble seen earlier in "On Waves". As the falsetto voice floats around the air in this track, it's hard to doubt the fine combination of rock band and electronic influences Yanqui put in place so carefully, or so it seems.
Every record must have a peak, something which stands out above the rest and defines the collection as a whole. In the case of Yanqui, this comes in "Glass Canopy"; a dark, glitchy guitar driven synth whirlwind. Everything that is dumfounding about this EP is in this song: driving beats, shoegaze-vocals, modern and vintage synths and flawless guitar-play. Whilst there are moments which are less noteable in the record than others and whilst this EP is one that deserves the time is asks (a mere 23 minutes), the more casual of listeners may want to jump straight to this to see Yanqui in their element.
Yanqui's debut is undoubtedly an impressive one, with all the makings of something more in a full-length. Everything about this group is familiar, yet new; the synths and beats seem a combination of 80's and 90's influences, with rhythm sections often mimicking that of more modern electronic scenes. It's also clear that the group have a tonne of rock-band background and bring that together with the reverb-drenched singing to make something for everyone. Whether you're in it for the dancing, the melancholy or the hooks, 'Yanqui' is a an excellent record from a group with great potential and a bright future on the horizon (and hopefully an excellent LP in production).
By Jake Murray
Yanqui's debut is available for free download on Bandcamp.