Live Review: ALBUM REVIEW: Yeasayer 'Fragrant World'
In true Yeasayer fashion their new album 'Fragrant World' is exactly what you'd expect. Because it contains the totally unexpected.
In true YEASAYER fashion their new album 'Fragrant World' is exactly what you'd expect. Because it contains the totally unexpected. The band are Willy Wonka and we are all just grotty little gold ticket winners wondering around the chocolate factory in wide eyed awe, trying to avoid oompa loompas because they are scary and weird.
Their last album 'Odd Blood' was a ridiculously huge success that catapulted the group into indie world stardom and it would've been so easy for them to release a new album that catered to their new found wider audience and push their way onto the mainstream. Instead the crafty Brooklyn quartet have managed to create an imaginative follow up album that is utterly surprising but still stays true to their quirky electro synth soul.
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The opening track 'Fingers never bleed' is standard YEASAYER fare: thoughtful lyrics, sweet synths and a hella catchy hook...definitely one of my favorite tunes. The next few tracks take on a more minimal vibe (Blue Paper is positively dreamy) before the oompa loompa's arrive and roll the album into an edgy and appealingly odd soundscape.
It's still heavily electronic, there's still hints of funk but the 80's pop synth beats increase and crescendo at Devil and The Deed which I personally loved because it sounds like something New Kids on The Block could've sung if they had been cool....but I can tell a lot of fans might hate the track for that very reason.
The album continues to pulsate down the large new wave synth road building up to a more abstract and dancey sound than we've heard from the band before. I think old fans will enjoy the updated sound while newcomers will just be impressed by the unique sound the band presents. By the time the final track comes around you won't understand what's happened or why it's ended, but like Charlie (who undeservedly won the lifetimes supply of chocolate even though he stole fizzy lifting drink) you will feel deservedly rewarded.
The moral of the story? Don't over think this album.....just enjoy the ride.
Words by Keya Muk
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