Mount Matsu

YĪN YĪNs first two albums creatively fused Southeast Asian melodies and instrumentation with pulsating electro-disco rhythms, all through a neo-psychedelic lens. Following a lineup change (founding member Yves Lennertz left and Erik Bandt joined on guitar), the Dutch group recorded their third album in the Belgian countryside, and became a more collaborative unit during the songwriting process. For this record, the group cite Japanese instrumental folk, city pop, and Stax soul among their influences. They seem to have gotten into more polished, radio-friendly disco and funk this time, rather than sequencer-heavy cosmic disco, as theres more of a live band feel to their dance grooves. Theyve also increased the presence of hushed vocals in their songs, not unlike one of the bands theyre most often compared to, Khruangbin. "Takahashi Timing" (possibly a tribute to the late Yukihiro Takahashi of Yellow Magic Orchestra) circles back to the phrase "never too late," and balances Chic-style guitar licks with spiraling melodies, heading into a more synth-heavy breakdown before washing down with dubby effects. "Pia Dance" starts out lean but works its way into an exuberant, bubbly groove, then works in the sweet, addictive "you make me wanna dance" refrain. "The Perseverance of Sano" refreshingly dives straight into surf rock, particularly the style of revivalists like Man or Astro-man? who incorporate synths and sci-fi elements. The fresh and exciting "Tokyo Disko" interprets the hybrid sound its title suggests, but also takes it somewhere else, particularly during the songs dazzling drum solo section. The rest of the album significantly mellows out, though "White Storm" does feature some captivating polyrhythms. It clearly sounds like YĪN YĪN are branching out with Mount Matsu, and their growth is commendable. ~ Paul Simpson