Yak – Termina

By Corey Maass

Out now on R&S Records, this four-track EP covers a lot of ground.

“Wide Eye”, the first track, would fit well into a house set, though it feels like about three different tracks. There’s an acieed middle section surrounded by lush house chords.

The second tune, “Skooma” is what piqued my interest. It starts off with a really nice half tempo beat and odd noises the grow and change over time. Then suddenly the rollercoaster goes underground, and we’re surrounded by unrelated sounds and vocal grunts in all the right places. It’s wonderfully unmusical, purely rhythm and texture.

“Stampede” starts as a drum kit work out that lulls you into a false sense of shruggery before hitting you with hard kicks and even harder crunchy snares. Once it opens up, drops to half time and floats off into the atmosphere, I’m in love. This reminds me of mid-2000’s IDM in a great way. I can listen hard or I can dance harder. I could even see this in a UK funky set, once it gets rolling. Or maybe if FSOL made grime?

“Termina”, the title track, is actually my least favorite on the album. Don’t all reviews love saying that? I love the percussion, industrial and melodic at the same time, but the arps and pads just don’t do it for me.

And finally, “Spore” carries us off into the dark. A little bit Aphex, a little bit 2-step, this scratches an itch for me. I don’t know that I’d want to hear it soberly on a dance floor, but I think it’s beautiful.

Posted on May 23, 2019