The debut EP for Brisbane dance-pop duo YesYou (Jono Kirkham and Gav Perry) has been a while coming, after all it was as far back as mid 2011 that their most notable song to date Half Of It found its way across the internet and onto radio. However, kudos to them then for taking their time to release an EP not based solely on the strength of that one track.
Half Of It does make it onto the EP but it’s still gorgeous and as listenable as it was over a year ago – the hushed, drawn out opening lyrics, the grand piano coupled with ’80s woodwind synth building up to that delectable chorus; it’s a track too good to leave off.
Thankfully though it’s flanked with another stand out track Frivolous Life featuring the vocals of friend, collaborator and Jinja Safari frontman Marcus Azon. Kirkham and Parry certainly know what they’re doing production wise, as Frivolous Life is simple and lush with some nice In the Air Tonight-esque drums for good measure. It’s a strong follow up single albeit a touch too Foster the People.
Lights Go Down shows Kirkham and Parry’s voices working well in unison again, it’s just the chorus isn’t quite the thumping anthem it seems to want to be. Thus the following track Frozen is appreciated for being more rousing and also for the haunting vocals of Jess Higgs (who also sung on Flight Facilities’ Foreign Language). Rounded out with the jumpy, less harmonic Amsterdam and an unfortunately underwhelming Paces remix of Frivolous Life (heavy on the drum and bass and not much else) YesYou’s self titled EP is certainly a nice taster of what the two men are capable of. There is a sense though that the ship may be sailing, with this country producing so many acts of a similar ilk (Empire Of The Sun, Miami Horror) one can only hope YesYou can find a niche. As songwriters they have considerable skill, a knack for smart collaborations, and keen production skills which will help their cause – but they may need to find something more for their first album.
BY GARRY WESTMORE
Best Tack: Half Of It
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Sense of Self CITY CALM DOWN
In A Word: Promising
