yak: gerudo

Yak’s ‘Mido / Darunia’ 12” on Version caught the ears of everyone here at Phonica so we’re delighted to welcome him to the family and release his new four track ‘Gerudo EP’ on our main label. Sheffield-based Yak (John Randall) is a classically trained instrumentalist whose releases for the likes of R&S, 3024 and Black Beacon have all received support from DJs such as Ben UFO, Midland, Joy Orbison, Objekt, Call Super, Or:la and Lauren Halo amongst many others. This new 12” is a great example of how percussion can be the vital core to direct movement on a dancefloor. The record opens with ‘Zip’, a nod to the housier tracks that introduced Yak to electronic music. Fine keyboard details add a shades of Techno to a track built on its organic drum break and undulating bassline. ‘Guevenne Groove’ keeps percussion as its main element, utilising a powerful kick as primary operator and adding colourfully breezy keyboards, which Randall says are inspired by roleplaying video game soundtracks. On the flip ‘Fret’, one of the EP’s most club-focused tracks. Spacey warped synths construct the melodies while an initially off-kilter drum-groove glues the track’s elements together before resulting in the record’s peak dancefloor moment. Finally the EP comes to an end with title track ‘Gerudo’, floating a wash of synth textures and airy pads over another of Yak’s signature percussive drum tracks. A euphoric end to the journey.