Jumping right in with Zero, followed by Heads Will Roll, the band introduces their latest endeavor with music that is somehow simultaneously intense and light. This album has more of a technological beat than previous releases, which relied on the impassioned riffs of Nick Zinner or the unparalleled beats of Brian Chase.
Karen O Lets Loose
Regardless of method, Karen O’s voice is framed in such a way that it cuts through the background music with the same fervency brought to life in their former albums. Several songs, such as Skeletons and Little Shadow are sandwiched between strong beats. These tunes hold their own, however, despite more laid-back cadences than the songs surrounding them.
With each word, each quiver of the background music, a new element of the album is opened up. Karen O’s voice curves around each word in Skeletons, enveloping it and making it exclusively hers in that moment. After the repeated lyrics of “Love, don’t cry/Skeleton me,” there is a clacking in the background that could be interpreted as bones dancing against each other. Her expressive intonations compel the listener to be swept into the next song.
Life With the Band Is Anything but Dull
After an emotional swirling of previous songs, Dull Life starts off with a light beat, allowing the listener to easily segue between songs. About half a minute into the song, Karen O reclaims her spot at the table of fiery vocalists. Zinner and Chase get to let loose in Shame and Fortune in a spiral of pulsing drums and scratchy guitar riffs, with Karen O’s voice infiltrating each measure.
Cries of “run, run, run away/lost, lost, lost my mind” penetrate the next song, Runaway, ensuring that the person listening feels the threads of despair within the song. Each key of the piano is harmonized with the other instruments, with the sound of wind chimes present at one point during the song. Described as the 2009 version of Maps, avid followers of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will understand the vulnerability this song stirs.
Heads Will Roll With the YYYs Latest Album
Before blitzing its audience with another emotional bombshell, the vaguely buoyant tunes of Dragon Queen and Hysteric introduce only a slight melancholic aspect in a weave of pulsing harmonization. Little Shadow, despite its calm rhythm, voices its hopefulness when Karen O poses the question, “Little shadow to the night, will you follow me?”
For many fans of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, she won’t have to ask twice. Their retro-style album will not deter followers, perhaps even cementing the notion that the band is more alive than they’ve ever been.
Brittney Weber - I play on words like they're a jungle gym, dangling from modifiers and running on sentences.
Join the Conversation