Reviewed by Ian Phillips. By Yonaka, Asylum Records 2018.
Yonaka is one of the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming rock bands.
This is their second EP release, following their 2017 critically praised CD, Heavy, which featured the worldwide juggernaut single Bubblegum.
The Yonaka sound is led by the huge guitar riffs of George Edwards and the powerful vocals of charismatic front woman, Theresa Jarvis.
Their sound is rounded out by the power-packed rhythm section of Alex Crosby on bass and Rob Mason on drums.
The songs were written by Jarvis and the album was in part self-produced by bassist Alex Crosby with additional production on the lead track, Fired Up, from Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, Pixies) and up-and-coming producer, Grandson.
The mixing of the album was done by Dan Grech-Marguerat who was responsible for the mixing on Liam Gallagher’s first solo album released last year.
I really like what this band are doing.
There’s great energy and passion in their performances.
Theresa Jarvis writes good songs which are lyrically interesting and the band are masters of the raucous riff and explosive hook.
My favourite track is the unbelievably catchy, Wish You Were Somebody, that really highlights Jarvis’ fantastic vocals.
The band have been championed as a must-see live act and their touring schedule has rapidly escalated from pubs and clubs to festivals and arenas.
They are currently playing the European summer festival circuit.
Yonaka has really taken the British music press by storm.
The Times labelled them “A band gearing up to fill arenas” and NME’s reviewer stated that their “momentous rock anthems pack both bark and bite.”
One review I absolutely agree with was published in the Clash music magazine. “It’s hard to remember a UK band making rock music that is genuinely adored on both critical and commercial terms.”
The EP is only four tracks in length but they are four great tracks.
