Time to celebrate because local legend Yeo has finally unveiled his full-length album Ganbaru, which has already received a lot of love for the previously released singles ‘Quiet Achiever’ and ‘Icarus’ (both of which received nods from the crew at triple j).
Over the past handful of years the Melbourne based singer and producer has garnered a stong and loyal fan base thanks to his addictive RnB influenced electronic pop, and this nine track album doesn’t disappoint.
To celebrate its release and the upcoming tour, Yeo has penned a track by track which you can check out below (along with the record stream). If you like what you’re hearing pop by Yeo’s Facebook page for more info on the LP and tour.
Icarus
This song is about wanting something so bad that you would destroy everything you already have to get it. It could be a person, a place, a dream. Icarus is also a poignant aesthetic and conceptual summary of the album, hence being the leadoff batter.
Quiet Achiever
A satirical K-pop-inspired track about surviving in a place where you don’t belong. It’s no secret I’ve always felt at odds with the music industry, but I know who my friends are and I’m happy doing my thing outside “the scene”.
VCR Play
My personal favourite on the album. Many people fear relationships because they don’t want to get hurt. I imagine this song to be a message on VHS tape from me to my lover in an attempt to calm that fear.
Know That Feel
This is a track I wrote when I was very stressed. I thought maybe some ridiculous lo-fi disco at an insane tempo with an epic faux-sax solo might relax me. It might relax you too.
1 For The Team
I love funk and 4-to-the-floor. I also love my team, which is what the lyrics are about. I have incredible people working behind the scenes on getting my music out there.
Promise/Secret
The first track on side B of the record needed to be an attention grabber. ‘Promise/Secret’ is probably the rawest song on Ganbaru, and it’s pretty easy to work out what it’s about.
Got No Game
Sometimes in life, you have no game. A few shitty choices later, you end up hurting the ones who love you, and you’re stuck licking toilets while everyone else seems to be killing it. I drove those feelings home on this one.
Extra Time
It’s the narcissist’s most precious commodity and I’m always running short on it. After writing this song, I realised that being time-poor is a first world problem so I need to stop complaining about it.
Jetcooler
Sometimes I come on way too strong – not just with asking girls out or adding salt to my meals, but with life in general. This is a memo to myself to not. JUST CALM DOWN MATE.
Upcoming Tour Dates
February 26 – World Bar, Sydney
March 4 – Pirie Social Club, Adelaide
w/ Tracy Chen, Hummingbird + Healthy Tapes DJs
March 10 – SCU Uni Bar, Lismore
w/ Nocturnal Tapes + Pretty/Visitors
March 11 – The Foundry, Brisbane
w/ MKO SUN + Sleepsea
March 12 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
w/ Quintessential Doll
March 18 – Settlers, Margaret River
w/ Henry Kissinger
March 19 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
w/ Leon Osborn, Jamyang + Sun City DJs
March 24 – Howler, Melbourne
w/ Deja, Retro Culture, Neon Sunset DJs + DJ Alex Yabsley
March 26 – Transit Bar, Canberra w/ Slow Turismo + MONDECREEN
