The Leeds group, known for their post-punk energy and societal commentary, have embarked on a new chapter, delving into their immediate success and the introspection that followed. They’ve navigated away from the typical pressures of fame to craft their latest, surreal offering.
Yard Act makes a striking return with their new album, opening with a track that immediately challenges the notion of originality. Over a backdrop of dissonant piano and thunderous drums, vocalist James Smith declares, “I’ve got absolutely nothing – absolutely nothing new to say!” He further explores this theme, adopting the persona of an unhinged preacher to question, “Do you feel like an impostor for every new level you ascend to too? Do you have to bluff as much as I do?”
This candid opening raises the question: is it an act of refreshing honesty to begin an album admitting uncertainty, or a form of self-defeating sabotage? “Ultimately, I’m not sure anyone truly has something entirely novel to say,” Smith muses with a smile during a meeting with bassist Ryan Needham in a London pub to discuss their upcoming third LP, ‘You’re Gonna Need a Little Music’. “We live in an era where everything demands to be a definitive manifesto or statement, often resulting in a one-sided dialogue. The exploration of nuanced, grey areas seems to be less favoured now.”
English Translation:
‘We’re really good. I don’t mean that arrogantly’: Yard Act on bullying, imposter syndrome and their heavy new album
The Leeds group arrived in a frenzy of post-punk energy, picking at the scabs of society – then started questioning their instant success. They talk about dodging ‘the megaband treadmill’ to make their surreal new album.
It’s certainly a novel way to announce your comeback. On the opening song of Yard Act’s new album, over a cacophony of doomy piano chords and crashing drums, singer James Smith announces: “I’ve got absolutely nothing – absolutely nothing new to say!” And he’s not finished there. Later in the same track, Empty Pledges, Smith whips himself up into unhinged preacher mode only to declare: “Do you feel like an impostor for every new level you ascend to too? Do you have to bluff as much as I do?”
Is it refreshingly honest to begin a record by saying you haven’t got a clue what you’re doing – or an act of ludicrous self-sabotage? “Well, I don’t know if anyone has anything new to say really,” says Smith with a grin when I meet him and bassist Ryan Needham in a London bar to discuss You’re Gonna Need a Little Music, the band’s forthcoming third LP. “We’re in this age where everything has to be a manifesto and a statement, but it’s mainly just a one-way conversation. Nobody wants to explore the grey areas any more.”