Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Yonaka, Warner Music United Kingdom 2019.
Last year I raved about UK rock outfit Yonaka and their EP Teach Me To Fight.
At the time I rated it as one of the best releases I’d heard that year and now I have the pleasure of reviewing their debut album, Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow and let me tell you I’m equally as impressed.
From its explosive opening track and first single, Bad Company, I was hooked.
Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow is the culmination of a year’s work and is entirely self-produced by the band and engineered by the band’s bassist, Alex Crosby.
This is a brave decision that is a true testament to the band’s strong sense of unity and shared vision, let alone remarkable abilities.
In the recording process Yonaka have captured their unbridled, raucous, stage presence and energy and have produced an important debut album release. Certainly the best I’ve heard in some time.
Lead singer and songwriter Theresa Jarvis has penned an album that’s brimming with life and chaos.
She has delved headfirst into hard-hitting subjects documenting her own experiences with mental health as well as the effect it’s had on those close to her.
Her lyrics are honest and sometimes confronting and the combined talents of the band have turned these songs into anthems.
She has commented that “the writing process for Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow has been a cathartic one. The LP’s title track is a message about reaching out to someone, picking up the phone and making that call: it’s about knowing it’s ok to be not ok.”
Yonaka have become one of the most talked about acts in the UK and their meteoric rise from popular Brighton favourites to headline tours and arena heavyweights shows no sign of slowing down.
This album is sure to cement their reputation as one of the most important rock acts around.
