Though a fearless writing and a distinct sound can get you far, enough atypical writing can make your music less accessible. Throughout Yuno’s new album, there’s so many wondrous tones and unique grooves that you’ll be entranced as each song opens. With very little changing in these tracks however, you may find yourself wanting more out of the writing in the songs.

Through conversations and an echo-laden intro, the album opens with euphoria on “Amber” as vocals bounce around joyously. With a touch of reggae and plenty of weirdly digital modern charm, the track celebrates good friends and family while trying to improve the self to be good to them. Yuno’s unusual harmonies keep the track ecstatic even in the midst of its many chaotic moments, and helps the strong grow bigger and bigger. Though it doesn’t vary up much writing-wise, there’s so much going on in the background that it’s constantly engaging.

A more pensive and psychedelic groove takes over “No Going Back” while Yuno scream vocables like it’s the best day of their life. Despite the chipper vocals, there’s a sense of regret in the lyrics and tone of the song to add more depth and slowly develop a narrative. As the bass groove opens up to a grimy but happy guitar solo that helps close out the song even higher than before. This said, Yuno would really benefit from a little more shifting energy through the song.

“Fall In Love” spins Yuno’s strange vocal work into something more emotional and haunting, letting every little sound feel rich in the overall theme of the song. There’s such an aching pain to all of Yuno’s words, and one that is made all the more sombre through the melancholy of the piano. While it too lacks a real centering moment, Yuno finds a fitting energy for this writing style that makes his dreary writing even sadder.

A surprising amount of heavy rock energy takes over on “Why For” as Yuno explores every inch of his sound regardless of any other song on the album. A sonic goldmine, the track is a perfect contrast of highs and lows, with a sparse mix to make it all feel more powerful and gripping. Though he could stand to make it even punchier there’s a couple moments in this song that are reminiscent to Sleigh Bells without feeling derivative.

In its light tropical energy, “So Slow” finds Yuno reaching into their most passionate delivery of the record while letting their harmonies soar even higher. The lounge-like energy of the track serves to make the driven vocals even more poignant and gives Yuno plenty of room to play. Unfortunately nothing really changes after the first minute or so of the song, meaning if you don’t sink into its groove you’ll find it long.
“Galapagos” closes the record on a swath of sounds bouncing off each other, as Yuno cascades his own words in a growing crescendo. As stagnant as it is in line with the album, the release of every chorus hook has a much more stand out energy to make the song feel distinct on both sides of the writing. Luckily Yuno also shakes up the beats in later moments of the song to make the ending really pop and fresh.

Words by Owen Maxwell