Yama Uba are an Oakland, California darkwave/post-punk project founded by Akiko Sampson with collaboration by Winter Zora and release their debut full-length album `Silhouettes` this month.
“‘Silhouettes’ was meant to be a quickly written album but ended up taking five years, reflecting times of heartache, perseverance, and emotional breakthroughs,” Sampson states. “In writing this album we redefined not just our music, but also ourselves in the process. As a whole, ‘Silhouettes’ is about personal transformation and self-discovery, and is a reckoning with the power of time.”
The album opens with `Disappear` which has an electronic pulsing heartbeat with shimmering guitar chords and vocals that are fairly reflective on what may well be a relationship that has soured. There`s a brisker pace to `Shapes` which I read is an ode to the curious need for love coupled with the pain of intimacy. We enjoy brief captivating saxophone solos as we are led through this number.
`Shatter` has a kind of mystique about it. A slower paced offering that does burst to life at unexpected times as it evolves and keeps you on edge throughout. A harder hitting composition arrives with `Façade` with some compelling guitar riffs shared over a pounding beat with vocals that I found delightfully enticing. A number that demands an escape from dystopian modern societies, an end to the illusion of interpersonal hierarchies, and a return to the authenticity of self.
The band present a pretty faithful version of British post-punk/new wave band The Passions `I’m in Love with a German Film Star` which was a hit over forty year ago. There`s a mesmerising dreaminess to `Isolation` which does pretty much create a feeling and sense of separation and seclusion. The wonderful sax tones added a further poignancy to this submission.
`Laura` seemed to weave it`s magic as it progressed and sort of cast a kind of spell on me, a charmingly appealing listen which did turn slightly intimidating towards the end. Although it was titled `Claustrophobia` this song was far from neurotic. It had to me, an enthralling quite hypnotic appeal.
`Silhouettes` closes out with `Angel` which has a goth like dark synth vibe with occasional shrieks and complex intricate guitar chords with sporadic sax tinges but grows more dreamlike as it progresses before ending with a church bell sound.
`Silhouettes` was a fairly enthralling listen with Akiko Sampson supplying vocals, bass, synthesizers, drum programming and Winter Zora sharing vocals, guitar, and saxophone. There was additional percussion on `Disappear`, `Shapes`, `Façade`, `Isolation`, `Laura, and `Claustrophobia` by Charlie Vela while Michael Daddona supplied additional percussion on `Shatter.
`Silhouettes` was formed and created from some turbulent times in this duo`s lives but they have come through these trials which i`m sure proved cathartic and have something tangible to show for those difficult times and challenges.
Rating 8/10
