Following a string of high profile remixes, London based three-piece IYEARA have released their brooding debut EP ‘CONSEQUENCES’.
Comprised of The Duke Spirit’s Toby Butler as well as Malcolm Carson (Tape The Radio) and Paul O’Keeffe (Frank’s Daughter), IYEARA have begun to emerge over the past year having had a hand in remixes for Laura Marling’s LUMP project, The Boxer Rebellion, Simon Raymonde’s Lost Horizons, Paris Youth Foundation, The Ting Tings and The Duke Spirit’s very own Leila Moss. Indeed, Moss features on EP track and previous single, ‘Shout’; a hypnotically dark take on the Tears For Fears hit, bristling from the first note to the last.
EP opener, ‘Exhale’ sets the tone for what is to come. IYEARA successfully conjure bleak, dramatic soundscapes effortlessly blending elements of dark wave, new wave, synth pop and post-punk. The combination of these genres create a soundtrack that straddles the line between utopia and dystopia: an apt score to the current issues that beset our own existence as we wrestle with political unrest, dehumanisation, globalisation, capitalism and climate change.
Third track ‘Silver & Gold’ begins ominously, led by the cathartic vocals of O’Keeffe who wistfully delivers the line, “… rising up become your prisoner, put me in your pocket and zip me up.”. The track builds slowly into a euphoric chorus of harmonic vocals, synth samples and a driving drum beat. The EP finishes with ‘Human’ which continues the foreboding themes that preceded it. Sonically, the track has a slightly more hopeful tone, creating a blissful, dreamy mood, and is juxtaposed by the typically angst-ridden lyrics that have become synonymous with the band’s outlook.
‘CONSEQUENCES’ is an impressive debut from a band who are clearly just getting started. Having been shortlisted for this year’s MPG Awards in the Remixer of the Year category, they have further remixes of tracks in the works and will be working with artists including The Prodigy, Mark Lanegan and UNKLE. With the immediate future looking bright, it will be intriguing to hear what IYEARA are going to produce next.
‘CONSEQUENCES’ is out on 27th September 2019 via TrES-2b Recordings / Ingrooves.