EP Review : Yu(c)k - Weakend EP
- Written by Antonio Tzikas
It’s with great confusion I try to work out what the Weakend EP is - it seems to be a collection of piano led “stripped down” songs billed as a side project to Yuck under the name Yu(c)k. You may heave heard of Yuck via their incredibly good single ‘Georgia’, if not then Youtube it now - the play count and the video style would suggest it is a little known early 90s obscurity but it isn’t, don’t fall into the same trap I did. The four songs offered on this EP are a lot different to the single and consist mainly of vocals and piano and little else save for sparse drums, the odd bit of other instrumentation and ghostly backing vocals.
Despite consisting of only skeletal arrangements all four songs on offer are incredibly strong, lyrically and musically, showing another side to the band from their usual fuzzed out guitar pop. I was quite surprised when listening through to be completely drawn into the atmosphere created by the sombre piano and low bass tones - this EP is definitely one to be listened to intently.
Opener ‘Daughter’ is an incredible song, beginning with a soft piano and being joined by the dull pounding of sombre marching drums it wouldn’t seem out of place on Unknown Pleasures. It’s the epic centerpiece ‘Walk‘ though, that really makes this EP something special, a six minute masterpiece that glides majestically to its crescendo with true raw emotion in the vocal. Closer ‘Automatic‘ has been available on the bands blog for a while now and is I daresay, the weakest track here while title track ‘Weakend‘ could be a lead single for any band, its melancholy piano riff and wonderfully sad lyrics making it perfect soundtrack to looking out onto a lake in winter, scarf billowing out behind you.
If this was any longer, it would risk getting a bit boring - four tracks is the perfect length for a great EP that still leaves you wondering at the end. Its a pity it’s being limited to a 100 cassette tape release as it could do with being released fully and there’s no indication as to whether this is a true one-off. The songs here prove the talent of this band more so than their usual material and will hopefully feature in form close to this on future Yuck releases.