Bass snubbing New York trio, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are back with their uncharacteristically chilled out third release. It has taken Karen O and co, three years to churn out It’s Blitz, and it’s an album that will challenge the devotion of their old fans.
Upon first listen, it becomes shockingly evident that the sound of ‘Fever to Tell’ and the growing pains of ‘Show your bones’ are a distant memory. It’s Blitz is a big glittery juggernaut, decked out to the nines with dance-floor fodder.
The spirited ‘Heads Will Roll’, is shamelessly synthesised and will have even the biggest of wallflowers up on their feet, as Karen demands “Dance, dance, dance ‘til you’re dead!”
The initial alarming decision to strip away the fundamental sound of the YYY’s, seemed like a disastrous idea. Guitarist Nick Zinner has bartered his signature killer riffs, is currently armed with a keyboard and he’s not afraid to use it. Lead singer Karen O has tamed her infamous vocal mood swings for slightly quieter coos, while drummer Brian Chase has traded his kit for a variety of 70’s synths. Bold moves such as these usually don’t pay off.
However, it works. They’ve managed to transcend genres, while still maintaining their indie icon status effortlessly. The album has a special vulnerability about it, that you can’t help but give it a chance.
The beautifully composed ‘Hysteric’ is mirror image tearjerker to ‘Maps’. A luminous love song about being thoroughly happy in a relationship, with lyrics such as “Flow sweetly, hang heavy. You suddenly complete me” oozing over twinkling keyboards.
Breakout songs include the first track on the album ‘Zero’. O’s insistence to ‘Get your leather on’ diffuses her obvious revelry and climbs to a great climax. Although it is a misleading taster of things to come, as it’s a far more subversive record than before.
Things slow down with the piano heavy ‘Runaway’ which brings out a charming frangibility and a new ethereal sound emerges. But other tracks such as ‘Dull Life’ and ‘Shame and Fortune’ fall flat.
I was told I’d hate this album. At the beginning, apart from a handful of songs I did. It’s Blitz is the sort of record you’ll go back to in a couple of weeks and end up liking, in a well intended attempt not to give up on a band you’ve loved for so long. In short, ‘Blitz is a grower.
Yes, yes, yes, it is a very different sound for the once New York street punk threesome, but bands change. While It’s Blitz may isolate some fans, it’s dead set to garner new ones along the way. As the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s electro efforts have come to fruition.
3/5
