Yeasayer
Odd Blood

Secretly Canadian

Opening tracks “The Children”, “Ambling Alp” and “Madder Red” pull you into Odd Blood without you even noticing. The songs are easy to love but not very challenging for those who craved an effort like their first album; All Hour Cymbols. That album was created in supposed isolation in Brooklyn and what some have come to believe why it was so unique and fresh sounding.

Well, those days are over. They toured for the last few years all over the world with bands like Beck, MGMT and appeared in music festivals big and small. Most believed that for their next album, Yeasayer would have doubled down on their unique qualities that made them successful.

However, they went the opposite route and crafted an easy to love, indie rock record tinged with some of their best sensibilities. Considering how difficult it is for a band to create a decent record at all - much less a experimental one - this band should be commended for creating some good music.

First single “Ambling Alp” features a wobbling rhythm that is well supported by the lead singer’s vocals. It does a great job setting the tone of the records as it features tons of pitch effects and wispy reverb action. On the next track “Madder Red”, they turn in a clean vocal performance with up-tempo Enya-reminiscent emotional backdrop.

Towards the back end of the album, Yeasayer does lose the pop-shell surrounding the earlier tracks. They start to play with tempo, pacing and vocals that start to emit different emotional qualities. “Mondegreen” sounds like frenetic mash-up of a hundred ideas and the next track “Grizelda” brings you back in a traditional gospel-style love song.

The depth of their music is one of their best traits and Odd Blood manages to blend that experimental-ism with their new found pop influences into a neat little package that is easy to enjoy.

— Jack Tse