Yard Act – You're Gonna Need a Little Music

The sonic palette on You're Gonna Need a Little Music is more textured and abrasive than previously heard from Yard Act, gliding deftly from stark, industrial rock to psychedelic Britpop to sleek funk-rock to honkytonk. These work well to varying degrees (especially the eerie grandeur of opener, Empty Pledges), but it's the more straightforward rompers where they're at their best, like the rollicking Cherophobe Rock or the catchy consideration on the pros and cons of loquaciousness, Talky Talky People.

James Smith continues to command the room as he yelps, talks himself out of breath and occasionally croons, and you're never far from a memorable line or two. Janey Said has A Grand Don't Come for Free energy as Smith reflects on love and the future with his ex, though despite the sincere clarity he does break the fourth wall with an Alan Bennett wink at the end: 'I'll probably get a good song out of this'. 

Yard Act prove themselves to be far more malleable than you might expect as they continue to push the sonic envelope, while grounding their songs in relatable kitchen sink wit. Where they'll go next is anyone's guess.

Listen to: Talky Talky People, Empty Pledges