Prog Radio | Album Review | ''Bifurcate'' by The War Yaks

Album Review

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4.5

Stars

Bifurcate

The War Yaks

504

USA

"LIKE JAZZ, BUT WORSE"…And such is the greeting on the webpage the band referred me to check out their new album. With that opening line, how could I resist taking a listen to this female-led band who cites Steven Wilson, Thank You Scientist, Haken, Leprous, and Opeth as influences?

Reviewing "Bifurcate," the debut album by The War Yaks from New Jersey, was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. This new crossover prog band delivers an impressive mix of intricate musicianship and accessible melodies across its eight tracks. Clocking in at 53 minutes, the album showcases their ability to blend complexity with catchiness in a way that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish.

The album's creation story adds a layer of depth to the listening experience. Nat Rusciani and Anthony Warga began writing the songs for "Bifurcate" in 2019 as their previous band was starting to fray. They recruited Kris Bacich on flute, Jesse Shaw on bass, and Esteban Mercado on guitar. Despite facing numerous setbacks, including illness, divorce, and learning music production, the band managed to complete the album. Their perseverance is reflected in the thoughtful, introspective lyrics that explore themes of vulnerability, mortality, and coping with loss.

The War Yaks have set a high bar with their debut, showcasing their potential and leaving listeners eager for more. This album is a strong introduction to the band's capabilities and hints at exciting things to come...

What stood out to me was the band's ability to maintain a cohesive theme throughout the album while still providing enough variation to keep things interesting. The interplay between the guitars, keyboards, rhythm section, and a healthy dose of sax is particularly notable, creating a rich texture that is both intricate and enjoyable. The vocals are strong and complement the music well, adding another layer of depth to the overall experience.

The War Yaks have set a high bar with their debut, showcasing their potential and leaving listeners eager for more. This album is a strong introduction to the band's capabilities and hints at exciting things to come in their future releases.

Prog Radio is very happy to now be playing much of this album in our new music rotation and featuring it in next Monday’s “What’s New Proggy Cats?” episode. Oh, if you’re fortunate enough, you might even catch their excellent cover of Haken’s "Cockroach King," also in rotation on Prog Radio.

4.5 Yaks! Umm…I mean, Stars! (A little inside humor for long-time Prog Radio listeners. 😉)