Everyone who has followed VoS for some time will know that we have a heart beating strongly in various hypotactic sentences and hypershifty rhythms – which better genre for the latter than Math-Rock? Today we give you another great Math-Rock track, YOWIE’s second single of their upcoming album Taking Umbrage - enjoy the intricacies of ”Skrimshander”!
Many moons ago we forged a connection with SKIN GRAFT Records and without knowing beforehand we can say in hindsight that working with this label and its many diverse bands has always been a pleasure because their roster and releases are not the everyday junkfood one can find on AM radio or the most popular playlists of everyone’s least favorite but highly simple-to-use streaming service. Their releases are complex and they shift in many ways from spin to spin. The melodies and hooks that initially grab you by the throat might not be the same thing that keeps your attention for many circles around the sun.
But enough of the esoteric blabla – let’s get back to business, this time meaning YOWIE’s new record Taking Umbrage and their second single ”Skrimshander” - but to make it clear – this is just my listening experience: I found the track to follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest Math-Rock bands (and you surely know which ones I might be referring to), because the flabbergasting wah-wahs and the hypertonality of the guitar hooks as delivered by new band members Jack Tickner (formerly of Basil’s Kite) and Daniel Kennedy (who already shared stages with Trey Spruance or John Zorn among others). These elements can be really crunchy and also delicate like a perfect bowl of Filipino Kinilaw, the local version of Ceviche, combining the elegance of well-made Ceviche with crispy pork bits and mango. And then we should not forget Defenestrator (and his obvious love for the beginning of the 30 Years War) – whose poly-rhythms do not have to hide in the shadows of any Math-Rock genius behind the drumkit. He is surely that little spoon of chili that then turns the whole thing into an amalgam that will incite your taste buds, wanting and wishing for more. Do not fear, the whole record is equally imaginative and shows no kind of standstill on the band’s fourth full-length. One can argue that any kind of Math-Rock in the end is just that: Math-Rock. But a delicious meal is a delicious meal is a delicious meal and after finishing your bowl, uhm, spin, you will want to go back to the turntable to listen again.
Taking Umbrage can be pre-ordered from SKIN GRAFT or directly from the band. Surely you will agree that this band and their music cannot be ignored once you have checked out “Skrimshander”! You can listen to the track either via the Bandcamp player below or check out their live-recorded video beneath!
