Maybe it was the weight of expectation that led me to conclude that Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ previous album Show Your Bones wasn’t worth many repeat listens. That expectation had come in the form of the explosive lead single Gold Lion, which I played five times in a row after I downloaded it. But I have a saying: “Always be suspicious of albums that begin with the lead single.” Not very catchy, I’ll admit, but I refer you to Madonna’s album American Life for proof that I am right. (Die Another Day doesn’t count, by the way.)
Except that I’m wrong with respect to It’s Blitz! because whilst they have played the same lead single trick here (with the shivery dance of Zero), the rest of the album matches, if not surpasses it. Their identifiable sound is still present, but fused to an electronic backbone accompanied by driving percussion and unashamed use of synth pads. Or so it may appear on casual listen, because instead they’ve gone in the opposite direction to Ladytron (who turn synthesizers into guitars) by mutating the sounds generated by their physical instruments and shipping in the widescreen electronic soundscape that made Ladytron’s Witching Hour so powerful.
The overall effect when it works best is therefore nothing short of overwhelming. Skeletons’ shimmering bagpipe ballad for example, and its schizophrenic successor Dull Life, which plays the soft / loud card very effectively. By the time the opening piano of Runaway appears, you can make sense of why Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ ended up sounding like this and it suits them perfectly. Karen O’s voice has the power and range to stand out against Nick Zinner’s keyboard and guitar backdrops and Brian Chase’s drums decorate, drive and tumble as required. And, for TV on The Radio fans unconvinced by these guys - you know who you are *wink*, Tunde Adebimpe provides backing vocals to Dragon Queen.
I’m not sure this is enough to make me go back to reconsider Show Your Bones, it’s probably best for me to leave that one alone, but this is a leap forward in their sound and their ambition. One of the best albums of this year, so far.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - official website
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz! (Amazon UK, Amazon US, iTunes, Spotify)
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