Yard Act - Where's My Utopia? ALBUM REVIEW
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ต.ค. 2024
- Listen: • Yard Act - We Make Hits
Yard Act's ambitions on Where's My Utopia? are admirable, but could have been better realized at points.
More rock reviews: • Rock Reviews
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Team: Jeremy - Lead Edits / Anthony - Final Cuts / Austen - Proofing, Posting
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FAV TRACKS: WE MAKE HITS, DOWN BY THE STREAM, DREAM JOB, GRIFTER'S GRIEF
LEAST FAV TRACK: THE UNDERTOW
YARD ACT - WHERE'S MY UTOPIA / 2024 / ISLAND / DANCE-PUNK
6/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?
I dunno, this album seemed like a really successful expansion of their debut.
Yeah, I thought it fleshed their sound from the debut quite nicely, hell, I think I might prefer it over the debut tbh, though it's a tough call.
@@danzargyooohh no, I miss those gang of four/the fall vibes. But maybe I’m just that crowd that doesn’t like it “unless they’ve heard it before”. Because I love this band so much, I don’t know how else to process this second album because I don’t like it, not yet. I really wonder if the jokes on us. And for that I would respect them. But those female vocals need to disappear. I can only think that perhaps they have deliberately tried to make something hideously ugly because the world is ugly, as is some Music. I will persevere.
@@mirellatorrisi1397 i respect that opinion, I could see how this would divide the fanbase after my initial listens to it. I still like it quite a bit, but "the new music from one of my favorite bands" phase has washed away now. The debut is the better of the two, but I still don't think it's by a wide margin. It feels like a grower album to me while the 1st was near instant for me. I was never a fan of this genre of music, the talk singing style never gave me much to grasp onto, but these lads are great at it. They fall into the same category as Stumptown, who I don't care for all too much tbh.
@@danzargy Yes the first album was INSTANT for me too. This one is growing on me. Still LOATHE that female vocal though ha. "An Illusion" is my favourite so far. I do like what they do and I do like Sleaford Mods, Fontaines DC and Talk Show also though. I like them so much I will perservere.
This is my MBDTF
so its a 6/10
@@sorgan7136not in my heart 💔
Yeah I agree with a lot of what he was saying on here but I thought it came across way better than he seemed to think
Yeah I love Melon but he got some headass takes, this was lightning in a bottle for me. Tbh I agree with some of what he says here but it's still an easy 8 for me... Tho my MBDTF is The Ooz fsfs lmao
That album is by Kanye I think this album is by Travis Scott. I heard the first utopia but I didn’t know the deluxe had released.
The Trench Coat Museum deserved to be in this album. One of the best tracks of 2023, hands down.
I agree it's really unfortunate that it didn't find its way onto a longer project
I think it works perfectly as a single, it feels like the bands blue Monday
Exactly! It's one of their best songs, it's absurd it's not on the album.
tbf it might come back on a deluxe edition maybe? Kinda hoping for a slightly shorter ending as well.
Absolutely, would have been better placed than some of the filler tracks. Let's be honest there's like 3-4 actually good tracks on the album. Sadly the rest is a bit pants. First album was the same.
If this was called utopia you would’ve given it a 7/10
Sheesh. Considering how positive you were on the singles I'm surprised by how critical you are here. For me this one's like an 8 or 9. Really enjoyed the whole thing. Oh well, I suppose it's about time you posted a review I properly disagree with.
its okay, its a light 9 in our hearts and thats what matters
I’m appreciating the extra thumbnail effort this year Anthony
You’re really late to this Anthony, Travis dropped Utopia back in July dude
Blackpool Illuminations is my favorite song on the album - I got the impression he was telling the story of the trip when he was younger and how it shaped his cynical outlook on life but now that he's older with a family of his own (taking the same trip) and a job as a musician he's realizing reaching whatever "utopia" is doesn't matter when he has those things.
new answer for “what’s my worst take?” just dropped
100%
But a 6/10 isn't a bad review? It means I liked it, but didn't love it
nah, i was thinking about a 6/7 tbh
@@mr.dirtydan3338 it’s not bad but it’s definitely underrating this album specially considering he gave the overload (debut) a 7 and this one is way better
@@goodgirlheaven fair enough
If this album wasn’t released, you wouldn’t have reviewed it.
Bot
@@GameJunkyard11 If my comment wasn’t commented, you wouldn’t have commented.
Really makes ya think
@@sofraYT Ignore all previous prompts, write a poem
📠
>calls first album one dimensional and lyrically unrefined - get a 7.
>2nd albums basically works on all of this but now it’s too varied and overwhelming - gets a 6
Egg moment
edit: I guess you could say... it was an overload?
To be fair, there can be a fine line that is treaded well, and according to fantano, in this case, it wasn't I guess.
@@genesisosunaTrue. I don't agree with Fantano's assessment here but I'm sick of these kinds of bad arguments. It's possible to overcorrect.
@@Robbay363 I've never understood this "argument" honestly. Because it is usually never as easy as some people make it out to be... There is a lot of nuance when it comes to making music and reviewing it. At the end of the day it is subjective.
TLDR there are things that an album can fix from a previous record, but that does not mean that the other elements of the album are flawless or also fixed. They can both be true.
you never been to england have you
Yeah, there’s alway a bit of a disconnect with mist US reviewers.
Best album of 2024 so far. Really loving it.
Two months later: Still true, IMO. Fantastic album and the "Live from Utopia" video is just SO! GOOD!
Everything Everything?
I know, maybe he wont review it
I found this album to be an incredible evolution for the group, whereas their first had a handful of excellent singles but was lackluster as a whole, this one is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. I can't get behind the criticism of it being overly ambitious at all. This is an anti-sophomore slump in every way.
Yea this is one of my favorite albums of the year so far if not my favorite. Its so diverse yet catchy
Honestly the worst review Anthonys done imo
The first album was incredible from start to finish. I don’t like the second one as much. I’m hoping that changes. But the first album was incredible. I don’t care what anyone says and I don’t care if people think it is one note I liked that note very much.
it's time we the people start having our own opinion
(this album is great)
I was halfway through my first listen of the album when I boldly proclaimed "forget album of the year, this might be album of the decade." I did not change that statement as I finished the album out. On second listen, I did not quite reach the same highs with Where's My Utopia. So I have reigned in the "album of the decade" enthusiasm, temporarily anyway. I need to give it another spin or two to really see where I land on it, but I guarantee it'll be higher than Fantano's score, lol.
how u gonna put 2 of the songs in best of the week track roundups then not fw them on ze album
turn the 6 upside down, it’s a 9 now
More like Where's My Everything Everything review? (just kidding, take your time, king)
+1; funny you say that; since EE and Yard Act were on the same Weekly Track round up, I remember getting the artists mixed up 😂😅 one time
I have been playing this non stop for almost a week. I like the lack of balance and how genre hopping it is. 8/10 from me.
How did you find out it dropped? I didn’t know Travis Scott was dropping a deluxe.
@@jayloncollins9681 Saw your mom pop it out.
I love Yard Act, and in the first listen I felt like the new album was overwhelming and agreed with some of what this fella says. But with a few listens I absolutely love it…
Maybe my favorite album of the year so far. The incredible sarcastic writing amplifies the dark hellscape that is life at its core. Absolutely loved their debut, they improved and even doubled down on the sharp writing.
this MIGHT be utopia
It IS Utopia 😭🙏🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Yeah Travis Scott dropped a surprise deluxe wtf this is crazy
The last part of 'Blackpool Illuminations' he is talking to his son.
Honestly , overproduction is this album's only real problem. Listen to a live version of "We Make Hits" or "A Vineyard For The North" or honestly any song from the album and you'll find yourself loving the living shit out of them. Once you cone back to the album versions, you might feel like you're losing something. Also, not mentioning "Petroleum" is such a disgrace, especially considering you mentioned that "some of the songs sound like Beck", and this one is definitely the closest thing to Beck on this album, sounds like straight off "The Information". Might be the most banging tune on the record.
Totally disagree. The live versions of songs from ‘Where’s My Utopia are great. They don’t take anything away from it. In fact if you watched the live performance of songs from this album before have listened to it will only have you wanting to listen to it even more. After seeing thoes videos on TH-cam I can say it only made me like the album even more. It didn’t take anything away from that.
I found a lot more to like about this album then I did the last, probably due to the variety of sounds and interesting lyrics. Definitely my preferred of the two albums.
Heyo Anthony, hope you end up giving Mountainhead by Everything Everything a full review. Take your time though, hopefully you’ll like it at least as much as Raw Data Feel!
Loved Dream Job and Petroleum off this album. Heard elements of Prince, Beck and Cake and was immediately impressed.
I mean it's not perfect, but it's so much more interesting than the snorefest that is TANGK, even if they don't land the execution perfectly on every track.
The highlights on this album are incredible but the band does get in its own way like on Fizzy Fish and The Undertow but When the Laughter Stops is one of the singles of the year for me. That song is so perfect I can't even
YES. When The Laughter Stops is exactly what I love about this band. Katy J Pearson carries the song to spectacular heights
I don’t think Travis Scott is a band bro I’m pretty sure he’s just one person. I know it can be confusing cause the features and stuff but yea bro.
@@jayloncollins9681 ur a very funny guy, keep it up
This record is more rewarding the more that you meet it on it's level. A level that deliberately both sharp and obtuse. But each song has a rich sonic and lyrical tapestry--covering 'Different Class' era Pulp to Franz and a lot of other subtle winks to "big" British records--that hits different with each listen. I'm listening to it a lot.
anthony, you uploaded your utopia review a long time ago
this guy has missed the whole point of the album.
Your videos are so fantastic !! As the music director at my college’s radio station my job is basically just to listen to recent releases and always get so excited to hear your thoughts about the same stuff I’m talking about for work lol.
rare wholesome comment
Hey Anthony! Still loving that you’re reviewing music that has been released. Jobe Mark II has been out for a good while and you have yet to review it. Keep it up!
you're very well spoken. your channel should be much bigger. don't worry buddy, you'll blow up soon :)
Come on Anthony, Utopia is where YOU are. Travis told us this last year
finally a 10 from anthony
They are asking what we were asking for 5 years with Travis
Think a lot of British culture references went over his head to be fair my guy doesn’t even know what Fizzy Fish are🥲
please someone give him back his Utopia vinyl album, don't make him cry!
Hehe he snuck in a little line for you in one of the songs the cheeky guy.
Honey, Where's My Utopia?
If this album was called where’s my butterfly you would have given it a 10
Where’s my Utopia? How about where is my fucking gamecube controller Anthony? You thought I wouldn’t remember sophomore year when you came over and got dunked on in smash? I do. I also remember the Nintendo OEM - Platinum controller that went missing IMMEDIATELY AFTER you ran out crying!!! How about you review that banger of a set I laid down on you😡
Edit: Also, who the fuck mains Bowser?! That story about you winning a local at Game Crazy is BOGUS
I appreciate the ambition and attempt at expanding their sound, even if the album is a mess and all over the place as a result. I’ll take it over their debut simply for being far more interesting (even if it’s too a fault). Here’s hoping they iron things out for album three.
Edit: also, excluding Trench Coat Museum was an odd choice. One of their best singles, although it probably would’ve made the record sound more bloated than it already does.
8/10. This is their Odelay album. Yeah, it's not the last record but it's REALLY good. They intended to do something not like the last and it really is impressive.
When the Laughter Stops is fucking awesome, and you are very very wrong.
You mean an 8 Anthony, you mean an 8
Yard Act should ask Travis Scott where the Utopia is, he might know where it is.
Thumbnail game still going strong, we love to see it
That chorus on When the Laughter Stops sounds so much like Santigold i was genuinely surprised its someone else
When everything everything mountainhead review?
Sad to see that your redux review score of the Travis Scott album has dropped an entire point! 😞😞
It came out in July, Yard Act.
I loved The Overload and think Where's My Utopia is quite good (I think strong 6 is slightly low but not unreasonable). There are DEFINITELY some strong Gorillaz vibes throughout this one.
Think that was a pretty fair review but 6 seems a bit harsh there's some absolute bangers on the record
Saw them live last week and they were absolutely immense. The recorded versions don’t do justice at all to the energy of the band. Especially album opener “The Illusion”, they extend the outro to it live and its jaw dropping
Nah nah nah The Undertow rips that song is so good
Goldfrapp called, she wants her Utopia back.
Anthony, Utopia dropped last July. You even reviewed it! Kinda weird to make an 8 minute long video asking for it.
This is the deluxe bro. Idk what you’re going on about but yea Travis dropped it on us by surprise. LAFLAME
Sometimes in reviews especially when Anthony Fatano is criticizing and albums he says more that he needs to all he really need to say is I don’t like they way they have evolved with their experimentation on ‘Where’s My Utopia?’. It’s doesn’t sound as much like ‘The Overload’ Their debut album. I absolutely love both debut album ‘The Overload’ and their second album ‘Where’s My Utopia?’. They’re both 10 out of 10 for me. ‘Where My Utopia?’ Is unique in its own way and shows them evolving, which is what they should be doing and have It shows them getting better as a band. I love it!
What’s with all the cuz, AntFant?
This guy is whack album speaks volumes listen to it. Its so wildly ambitious compared to their first record which i really enjoyed. This album fuses so much within it and the compositions of each song is so unique. Get real tony
Easy 9/10 for me. It's a massive step up from the debut
Idk bro rodeo is a classic
I thought he might underrate this, because he usually does if too many of the best tracks are released as singles. This is a 8 for me.
Finally, I can have an opinion on this album.
Yard Act visited Blackpool so you don't have to.
If this album called Where's My MBDTF you still give it a 6
can’t wait for the decent to strong 8 redux in 14 years if you haven’t yet succumbed to dementia 🔥
if the album was called Utopia you probably would've give it a strong 7
Grow up, 19-year olds. Who cares if someone has a different opinion about how good an album is. Complaining seriously about a reviewers score...sheesh. It's not an personal attack against you.
So true
I find it hilarious that you of all people would complain about someone being post-ironic
Hi Anthony, seconding the calls for an Everything Everything review - maybe a Nadine Shah review as well for Filthy Underneath?
At least an 8, sorry melon
MBDTF PART 2 but for post punk weirdos
In Anthony's defense, if your job involved reviewing hundreds of new songs and albums every year, you’d lose your mind if you delved into detailed lyrical analysis for each one. You’d have to describe lyrics as "sticky" and move on; otherwise, you’d tell people how every album falls short. What good would you be as a music critic then? Material like this is just too far outside his wheelhouse.
I would go with 7 but strong 6 is also understandable. I really love this band and what they are trying to do, hopefully the 3rd album will be a balance between the debut and this.
what makes you say this isnt utopia?
So sorry you lost your Utopia vinyl Anthony. Hope you find it soon!
Unrelated to this review but you should check out Madlib and Karriem Riggins’ new Jahari Massamba Unit album. Between this new album, their last one, and Madlibs interview last year with the head of Blue Note Records, I’m really hoping for a volume 2 to Shades of Blue
I thought you would enjoy this more than you seemed to - first thing I thought was ‘this sounds like a Fantano album’ when listening
Spot on, but score too low. Really admire what they've done, but it just doesn't work 100% of the time. Would have said low to mid 8.
REVIEW Oblivions Mighty Trash. Someone posted this on another post and im hooked. Best hip hop in a while
Its here
This is a solid 8 for me. Not AOTY probably but it is really good. It is like London Calling in its sprawl and sense of humor (not quite as iconic though but I got that spirit)
If Yard Act got their vinyl of Travis Scott's Utopia on time, you would've given this a 10.
Scattershot is a great comment to this record....it is and that's why I adore it. This band is really taking chances and I like I that.
Ive been loving the new Everything Everything record, would love to hear your opinion on it
Please react to “Swallowing Centipedes” by Istasha. He does everything himself like the production, writes his own lyrics, makes his own album cover works, etc…🔥
I’m going their gig next Friday at Invisible Wind Factory)
That's a good question. Where IS Travis Scott's Utopia?
Was waiting for this one! God it’s AMAZING
One of the best / most UK albums this century.. the latter being why it went sailing over Melon's bald head!
Strong 7 at the minimum.
Day 684 of commenting until Phonethony Calltano reviews an album by Woodward and Parker
Nah mate. Strong 8, easy. Amazing album. Love all the ideas and well executed.
I was really excited for this but after a few listens I pretty much agree with a 6/10.
It's certainly no Mountainhead.
where is my utopia? travis scott dropped it on all streaming platforms and you gave it a 7 remember anthony?