Hello Reader,
Thanks for coming back. Hope you’re well.
Today we’re delving into a UK based band that’s seen a spectacular rise in the past few years. From Leeds, West Yorkshire comes a band called Yard Act. Comprising the band are members vocalist James Smith, guitarist Sam Shipstone, bass guitarist Ryan Needham, and drummer Jay Russell. Smith and Needham had been played in separate bands in Leeds (a city over 500,000 strong as of 2021), when they collaborated on a split EP in 2016 before starting Yard Act late in 2019. Before the end of 2020, both Shipstone and Russell had joined the band solidifying the quartet. The next year saw singles and the release of Dark Days EP (2021). Early the following year in January 2022, the band released their debut album, The Overload which garnered critical acclaim and a nomination for the 2022 Mercury Prize which is an annual music prize awarded for the best album released by a musical act from the United Kingdom or Ireland.
And today on March 1st, for your listening pleasure, Yard Act has released a new album, Where’s My Utopia? via Island Records.
Giving credit where it’s due, Where’s My Utopia? album credits include:
- James Smith – vocals on every song, programming and percussion on nearly every song, synth on a handful of songs, SP404 sampler on “We Make Hits,” “Petroleum,” and “A Vineyard for the North,” Mellotron (basically a keyboard with power of an organ complete with a tape deck), on “Dream Job,” glockenspiel on “Petroleum” and contra bass on “A Vineyard for the North”
- Jay Russell – drums and programming on every song, percussion on “The Undertow,” “Dream Job,” “Petroleum” and “Blackpool Illuminations,” Mellotron on “Fizzy Fish,” Moog synth on “The Undertow,” “Petroleum” and “A Vineyard for the North”, OP-1 (synth, samples, sequences) on “Fizzy Fish,” and “Petroleum,” piano on “A Vineyard for the North” and backing vocals on “Dream Job”
- Ryan Needham – bass guitar and backing vocals on every song.
- Sam Shipstone – guitar on every song
- Christopher Duffin – saxophone on “An Illusion,” “Down By The Stream,” “Fizzy Fish,” keys on “Dream Job,” and both keys and sax on “Grifter’s Grief” and “Blackpool Illuminations”
- Angel Silvera, Adele Omotayo, Michelle Ndegwa, and Petra Lake – backing vocals on “An Illusion,” “The Undertow,” “Dream Job,” “Grifter’s Grief,” and “A Vineyard for the North”
- Rebecca Freckleton – backing vocals on “An Illusion,” “The Undertow,” “Dream Job,” and “Grifter’s Grief,” “Blackpool Illuminations,” and “A Vineyard for the North”
- Zahra Benyounes, and Guy Button – violin on “An Illusion,” “We Make Hits,” “Down By The Stream,” “The Undertow,” “Dream Job,” “Blackpool Illuminations,” and “A Vineyard for the North”
- Francesca Gilber – viola on “An Illusion,” “We Make Hits,” “Down By The Stream,” “The Undertow,” “Dream Job,” “Blackpool Illuminations,” and “A Vineyard for the North”
- Maddie Cutter – cello on “An Illusion,” “We Make Hits,” “Down By The Stream,” “The Undertow,” “Dream Job,” “Blackpool Illuminations,” and “A Vineyard for the North”
- Katy J Pearson – vocals on “When The Laughter Stops (ft. Katy J Pearson)”
- Ian Stephens arraigned and conducted strings on songs with strings.
- Additional credits on the album, Remi Kabaka Jr (drummer and producer for Gorillaz and more recently, other artists) produced the album and played congras and cowbell on “Dream Job”
- Ross Orton mixed the album, Matt Colton mastered it. Album engineered by Alex Greaves, Matt Peel, Russ Russell and Jay Russell.
And now some hype for your ears!
An awesome video, and a catchy song, “We Make Hits”:
(All credits and rights to Yard Act)
You want bass guitar riffs, a powerful drum beat and a dance sequence? Check out “Petroleum”:
(All credits and rights to Yard Act)
“When The Laughter Stops (ft. Katy J Pearson)”:
(All credits and rights to Yard Act)
Overall, Where’s My Utopia? is a fantastic album. If you’re looking for the same exact music as you heard on the last album, you won’t find it here. The band is doing different things as many bands do. Their sound worked for Yard Act last album and what they did works again on this new album. Where’s My Utopia? is less political and features more contemplative lyrics about the human experience and what’s on our mind than past Yard Act songs. I’ll let you compare and contrast on your own time. There are still plenty of straightforward delivered vocals via Smith and backing vocalists. The themes and explorations flow well from one song to the next to carry the narrative(s) the band intended. There are plenty of dance heavy beats in the melodies. The process of choosing which arrangements and instrumentation were not only well planned but also well executed. Each and every song showcases skilled musicianship and the perfectly played instrumentation. The samples are perfect too. The overall sonic quality is top notch. Overall, this album is an evolution in the band’s sound for the better.
To jumpstart the album, the opening song, “An Illusion” feels like you’re in the audience of a talk show/concert with a sample that not only includes applause but an announcer proclaiming (tongue in cheek) “…the greatest voice in the entire century,” as Smith drops the first lyrics. The lyrics are a few instances of several people down on their luck and a few tales of delusions. You also hear a choir of backing vocals that fades out to reveal a sample of switching radio station channels that drops in the last fifteen seconds of the song to place a thought about the album title in the very last line. The melody has strings, drums, a piano, percussion and programming.
“We Make Hits” kicks off with a turntable style sample that ends, and a dance groove kicks in. The melody is heavy in bass guitar funk and guitar amongst strings. The lyrics seem to tell the autobiographical story of the band members in vulnerable and honest fashion. The lyrics tell of the past but also their present and the refrains are incredibly catchy. The melody and lyrics and vocals work well together.
In “Down By The Stream” a story of an adolescent adventure that Smith is telling at a decent delivery pace over an upbeat and propulsive dance melody that turns reflective as the years have passed. Smith begins describing an old school mate, Jono becomes remorseful and apologetic. The cycle of abuse is discussed as the melody shifts. Smith’s delivery becomes serious and more spoken word. Perhaps due to Smith’s recent fatherhood. The song ends with a fitting sample about being a child.
“The Undertow” starts with lovely backing vocals from the band. The melody then gets an infusion of funky bass and beautiful strings. And a choir of backing vocals. The lyrics are steadfast and yet introspective with refrains about guilt and perspective.
The next song,”Dream Job” features the fullest sound on the album. Guitars, drums, percussion, programming, a choir, strings, congas, cowbell are involved. The resulting melody is upbeat and constantly moving almost disco like. The lyrics tell of the band being satisfied in the present doing what they wanted to but still holding anxiety and paranoia about the future.
The vocals and lyrics of “Fizzy Fish” present as stream of conscious thoughts. The thoughts flow from one to the next at a measured pace to me. The melody is very strong drum and bass guitar forward. Song ends again with another sample.
“Petroleum” starts with a 2000s brit pop vocal delivery that may remind the listener of other songs they’ve heard. That being said, it’s not a copycat song by any means. It is Yard Acts own. First song so far that uses a sample towards the middle. Nice use of pronounced backing vocals here with Needham pairing with Smith.
The next song, “When The Laughter Stops (ft. Katy J Pearson)” features an incredible balance when Pearson and Smith sing together. It also works perfectly when each vocalist is performing a solo. The lyrics start off more positive in tone but then get reflective and realistic. Another song that uses a sample to end.
In “Grifter’s Grief” the titular refrain really hammers the intended message home. The lyrics cover thoughts of Imposter Syndrome. The vocals feature not only Smith but a choir and samples near the end of the song before an aggressive vocal delivery then another two samples to close song.
“Blackpool Illuminations” starts off with a recorded conversation with Smith and Needham about trips to Blackpool in wonderful descriptive language like you’re there. Then Smith’s vocal delivery picks up the pace. Soon after that you hear last minute melody changes and so does the tone of song. It turns into an explanation on what Utopia actually is to Smith including his new family with wife and son. Finding what is now and will be important and necessary. There is a lovely melody throughout, but the cello, violin, viola, and sax and drums really stick with you.
“A Vineyard by the North” has a driving, danceable beat. A last hurrah on the album with the choir, guitars, drums, and strings. The lyrics are contemplative for the future.
Where’s My Utopia? gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It is an excellent album and worth of a 4.5 rating relative to all 2024 album releases. There’s a lot to like in the bands second album. It’s an improvement in the evolution of the band’s sound and the choices they take here are not only bold but pay off in spades. The lyrics are very thoughtful and introspective but relatable to the listener. Yard Act has proven they can do multiple genres and various themes, political, societal or universal human thought process among others. Outstanding instrumentation and sonic choices and quality. Worth adding to your collection on any format.
Where’s My Utopia? Track listing [song length]
- An Illusion [3:36]
- We Make Hits [3:03]
- Down By The Stream [3:45]
- The Undertow [4:02]
- Dream Job [2:39]
- Fizzy Fish [3:31]
- Petroleum [3:40]
- When The Laughter Stops (ft Katy J Pearson) [3:18]
- Grifter’s Grief [3:19]
- Blackpool Illuminations [7:28]
- A Vineyard for the North [5:04]
Total run time: 43:35
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. This process is usually an hour or less from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on the album.
To find about more about the bands tour, see their merch and follow their socials, please visit their site, here!
Thanks for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
