First of all, my sincere apologies for being extremely late, work commitments and ill health have held me back this year, but this is one band I could not leave behind. My friends Y!kes released a couple of tracks and it is only now that I’m settling down with them properly. We start with ‘Iron Deficiency’ a startling look at the animal testing and torture industry, lab rats for the masses we blindly lead where corporations take us. The band, as ever harbouring an astuteness and perception that is quite special, aiding the portrayal and delivery of the music on a stratospheric level. ‘Gloria In Salvia’ pertains to salvia, the psychedelia inducing plant, sway, and swing, dizzyingly dippy and trippy, we see the band weirding out. The fast forward to the finish symbolises, for me, life flashing before my eyes, a terrifying tranquility awaits. Filmed in Birmingham’s stunning Botanical Gardens, the fellas grace the bandstand with their elegance, their wit and charm, strumming and drumming to the floral framework.
Next, we have ‘Not Everything, Not Yet’ where the video aesthetic reminds me of Marmozets ‘Habits’ and actually Becca’s voice would not be out of place of a Y!kes record. Both tracks have been skilfully produced by Jim Pinder (While She Sleeps), the arrangements are an exquisite exchange of punchy and crunchy sounds, gravel like, and smooth and sleek posturing, cat like – meow! Filmed in the Mannakin Graveyard in Lincoln- I never knew there was such a place, we prowl through the remnants of a life once lived albeit in statuesque form. Oli has a swagger that is intoxicating and hypnotic, he sashays across the screen, his bandmates reactions in keeping with the time and pace of the music. The scrappy and fragmented display- all attributable to the grunge ethic- boasts intelligent and eloquent songwriting and technical ability. The sound is frantic, yet tingly like a crisp morning frost, noisy and brash, gnarly and reckless, like walking into oncoming traffic. The vocals slower; skulking behind the bike sheds for a cheeky cigarette.
Y!kes are a phenomenon, unique, masterful and prolific in their art. I, for one am looking forward to what 2023 brings for these Brummagem gents.
Azra Pathan
Y!kes – Iron Deficiency and Not Everything Not Yet out now.