We had pretty high expectations for Fragrant World, Yeasayer’s new album, set to be released on August 21 through Secretly Canadian. After 2010’s Odd Blood, an album we played endlessly and danced uncontrollably to at that unforgettable show at Lee’s Palace back in May 2010, the bar was set high.
As has been the trend with bands as of late, Yeasayer has taken a unique approach to unveiling the 11-track album, working with Yoshi Sodeoka, a Japanese-born artist to create a moving visual for every song on the album and then ‘hiding’ them on the internet. The project, referred to as PSCYBOTV (Preemptive Self-Commissioned Yeasayer Vorstellung or Track Visualizer), will be taken down tomorrow, on Friday, August 3. Check out this Paste Magazine link for the videos.
Fragrant World employs Yeasayer’s tried-and-tested sounds, including Chris Keating’s crooning, gospel-influenced falsetto vocals and poppy synth beats. The album eases in slowly by building energy through “Fingers Never Bleed” and “Blue Paper”. By “No Bones”, mid-way through the album, Yeasayer’s middle eastern influences come across, blending psychedelic drum machine sounds to create a dizzying but energizing catchy track. Our top picks for the album includes “Henrietta”, “Devil in the Deed” and “Demon Road”, which we cannot wait to hear live at Osheaga in Montreal on Saturday.
After taking in the album half a dozen times, we began to really fall in love. We predict this will be the case for many – it’s an album of slow, acquired taste but those who are patient, will be rewarded with Yeasayer’s bizarre, pleasing sounds that are perfect for a late-night dance party.
