Athena
In 2011, Yuck‘s penchant for grunge and 90’s nostalgia, saw their debut offering Get Away released to an acclaim so high it was hard not to reach for the bandwagon. Ex-frontman Daniel Blumberg seemed to be steering them back into an age of raw, lo-fi sentiment. The era where abrasive authenticity was aplenty and euphoric indie rock: embraced and prevalent. Yuck’s beginnings were certainly an accolade to grunge times past. Post-Daniel departure, the question on the lips of all anticipatory Yuck fans: have the wheels left the wagon?
The exit of a frontman and co-writer/producer leaves a hole, it also leaves room for reinvention. What better to shovel into this gap than a guitar laden wall of sound, some introspection and a dream-pop, fuzzy soundscape wide enough to once again throw your hopes into.
Following their aptly titled second album Rebirth, Yuck release a preview of surprise spring EP Southern Skies. Far from 2011, fresh track “Athena” continues to evidence the band’s transition into ethereal realms. Yuck look set to front a whole new resurrection, this time turning their attentions to the British mid-nineties movement of shoe gaze. Meeting all specifications, “Athena” embodies the fuzzy form and introspection of My Bloody Valentine circa Loveless. Vocals are softened and often indistinguishable; blending with the noise-pop backdrop, in a non-abrasive and flawless fashion. Dreamy soundscapes eventually leading to a heavier more climactic closure. Whilst retaining elements of their pensive past, Yuck’s last UK tour saw Max Bloom take the wheel, steering in a direction that featured tight live performances, complete composure and a promising new form.
“Athena” can be heard above. Taken from forthcoming Spring EP, Southern Skies.
