Prog Radio | Album Review | ''Rejoice'' by Yang

Album Review

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4.5

Stars

Rejoice

Yang

950

France

"Rejoice!" by Yang is a wonderfully eclectic album that marries intricate, guitar-centric compositions with melody and emotive themes. Led by guitarist Frédéric L'Épée, Yang has a history of creating complex yet accessible progressive rock. This latest album, the band's fifth and third release on Cuneiform Records, sees L'Épée teaming up with guest vocalist Carla Kihlstedt from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, whose vocal performance brings a new dimension to Yang's music.

The album was conceived in the wake of global turmoil, including the COVID-19 pandemic. L'Épée says he was inspired to create music that would offer a sense of healing and hope, resulting in a collection of songs that are both reflective and transformative, aiming to uplift listeners amidst dark times, just as the name implies, Rejoice!

"Rejoice!" is the perfect blend of “strange” mixed with message and melody, akin to bands like Gentle Giant and Caravan. Prog Radio is pleased to be featuring several of the tracks from this well-crafted album in our rotation.

"Rejoice!" showcases Yang's signature sound—characterized by intricate polyrhythms, tightly woven guitar parts, and dynamic shifts in mood and tone. The final track, "The Final Day," exemplifies this with its combination of soothing fingerstyle guitars, haunting vocals, and a darker, more intense bass line. The song reflects on themes of mass extinction and climate change, yet it manages to convey a sense of joyous release, encapsulating the album's overarching message of finding light in darkness.

"Rejoice!" is the perfect blend of “strange” mixed with message and melody, akin to bands like Gentle Giant and Caravan. Prog Radio is pleased to be featuring several of the tracks from this well-crafted album in our rotation. We’ve featured a couple of the singles in previous "What’s New Proggy Cats?" shows, but now that the album is out, we look forward to featuring one of the album cuts. Look for that on Monday.

Rating: 4.5 Stars