Music News Monthly Magazine May 2024 - Magazine - Page 20
ALBUM REVIEW
Photo: Phoebe Fox
Following the release of Yard
Act's
debut
album
'The
Overload', life has taken a turn
down a different path for
frontman James Smith since
becoming a father. The new
perspective that parenthood
gives you is a theme that
influenced much of the band's
brand new album, 'Where's My
Utopia?'.
With a retrospective look at
childhood experiences from
'Fizzy Fish' to busted lips,
bullying, and more, James
reflects on how life was for him
growing up.
The album is open and honest,
with James speaking of bullying
his peer and not really knowing
why, but acknowledging the
damage it did and how he
would react if his kid did what
he did.
There is so much crammed into
the album—little gems that just
take it from great to awesome.
They kicked off strong with 'An
Illusion', with 'We Make Hits'
keeping the energy high as Yard
Act looked at starting out in the
music industry and all that
encompasses, a theme that is
followed up in 'Dream Job'.
Yard Act have managed to do
something that many bands
struggle to achieve, create a
second album that is as fresh and
exciting as the debut. With
Gorillaz' Remi Kabaka Jr coproducing the album, the band
has taken their sound to the next
level while keeping their sense of
humour, fun, and integrity at the
forefront of their songwriting.
'Where's My Utopia?' is a carefully
curated work that keeps things
interesting from start to finish,
there really isn't a dull moment on
the album. Post-punk at its finest.
You can check it out for yourself
at: www.yardactors.com