THE BACK STORY: There’s a very good chance that you’ll recognise one or two members of YOTA (short for ‘Youth of the Apocalypse’). Formed around two years ago, this London-based six-piece have acquired plenty of collective experience from other bands. There’s vocalist Jamie Reynolds, formerly of noughties nu-rave heroes Klaxons; guitarist Jeff Wootton and bassist Seye Adelekan are part of the touring line-up of Gorillaz; drummer Jay Sharrock has performed in Miles Kane’s band. Completing the YOTA line-up are DJ Twiggy Garcia and New York rapper Young Lazarus.
It’s an impressive collection of musical CVs – and one that’s reflected in YOTA’s wonderful genre-defying musical output. Last year’s debut single, Drop The Bomb, was a glimmering, vintage soul-meets-modern hip-hop track stuffed with radio-friendly hooks. The band’s latest single, Fire In My Mind, is even better – an belting electro-rock anthem co-written with a certain Noel Gallagher.
Impossible to pigeonhole, if there’s one common thread running through YOTA’s music, it’s surely their strong political awareness – befitting their name, here’s a band who firmly believe in the power of radical art during times of social and political turbulence. Judging by their handful of single releases and their barnstorming live shows, YOTA’s belief is most certainly being vindicated.
FOR FANS OF: Gorillaz, Public Enemy, Run DMC, Kasabian.
KEY TRACK: ‘Fire In My Mind’ – The one should go down a storm during the summer festival season.
Cover Photo Credit: YOTA FANS
