YÔKAÏ – Coup de grâce (2022)
Artist: YÔKAÏ
Album: Coup de grâce
Genre: Psychedelic Rock / Space Rock
Label: Humpty Dumpty Records
Year Of Release: 2022
Quality: FLAC (tracks)
Tracklist:
1. Mascotte (6:33)
2. Roubaix (4:10)
3. Het Bos (8:35)
4. Laika (2:59)
5. Amazonas (2:51)
6. Ledeberg (6:03)
7. Cheval de rêve (2:57)
8. Sentinelle (album version) (4:17)
9. Coup de grâce (3:04)
Personnel:
– Jordi Grognard / clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, flute
– Yannick Dupont / drums & percussion
– Axel Gilain / electric bass, Moog synth
– Eric Bribosia / Fender Rhodes, Farfisa, Roland SH synth
– Clément Nourry / electric guitar
– Fred Becker / alto, tenor & baritone saxophones, percussion
– Louis Evrard / drums, electronics
– Ivan Tirtiaux / electric guitar
Yôkaï is a Belgian project composed of a large lineup that offers music that mixes different genres and styles between Experimental, Space Rock, Jazz and Psychedelia. They have released 2 Ep and 2 Full-length, the new album “Coup De Grâce” was released on March 25, 2022 via Humpty Dumpty Records and containing 9 medium to long length tracks. The opener “Mascotte” opens with an intro with a dilated sonority, followed by a solid and pressing rhythmic session with a hypnotic bassline. The sounds are enveloping and halfway between Psychedelia and Space Rock, with a retro touch and the intensity that increases with the passing of the minutes. The melodic intertwining and the modulations of the sounds are valuable, leading to a more Experimental section in the central part, and then closing with the pressing central theme. A dreamy intertwining of arpeggios and winds opens “Roubaix” with a marked retro matrix in the sonority, with solid drumming and supporting bass lines. The keyboards and winds that mix with the guitar works create an atmosphere that takes us back to the 70s, enveloping us with a touch that I would define as Psychedelic Jazz with lysergic traits. In the second part the guitar offers an interesting and prolonged solo cue, to close with all the instruments that intertwine. “Het Bos” has a more melancholic sound, with deep bass lines and marching drumming on which the winds are inserted. The effects in the background and the dilated and Experimental sounds give a mystical touch to the song, a long lysergic journey of 8 minutes that shows a more Trance side of the band. Keyboard and guitar that duet and the winds that are inserted characterize “Laïka,” a track enriched by percussion and oriental features. He remembers those tracks with a more mystical flavor present in Psych records of the late 60s, with that personal touch imprinted by the use of the band’s own winds. “Amazonas” features a killer bass-line and fine keyboard modulations with a Kraut touch and solid drumming. An engaging track with fresh and modern features that combine with the more 70s and classic ones of the genre. An incisive rhythm and a supportive and hypnotic bass line characterize “Ledeberg” which presents synth works very close to the sounds of German music of the 70s. In the central part a technical and refined wind solo is inserted, creating a winning combination between the cosmic and Kraut features of retro Prog. With ever-changing sounds enriched with modulations and effects, this track envelops us and takes us into the magical musical world of the band. “Cheval de rêve” is a markedly Experimental track, where the band creates deep bass lines and slow-paced keyboard sounds. Very rhythmic and engaging “Sentinelle” is the album version of the track, with a good mix of keyboards and winds. A more cheerful and 70s-inspired passage with cinematic and Jazzy features that mix with the personal ones of the band. Here, too, the mix between winds, keyboard and guitar is of exquisite workmanship on a rhythmic session that creates an excellent combo between bass and drumming. The album ends with the title track “Coup de grâce” a slow and markedly Experimental track, where the band offers modulations of sounds enriched by effects. The technique with which these artists are able to trust the sounds is of a high level and they demonstrate it in pieces like this. A listening that struck me positively for the technique and quality of the ideas proposed by the band, their development and execution. The ability of these artists to bring retro sounds to the present day with their own personal touch is an added value. You move from songs with more Jazz influences to other Kraut, from Psychedelia to Prog, all creating your own modern and personal style. A recommended listening, with excellent ideas well composed and executed inside, a masterpiece of the genre.
Jacopo Vigezzi, progrockjournal
