Yobrepus - 2024 - A Rhizome Revolution, Part 1

(34:43; Apollon Records)

Track list:
1. Stay Cool 5:09
2. The Enabler 9:02
3. Protozoa 2:13
4. Holy Motors 5:59
5. Firestorm 7:37
6. Jupiter 4:43

Line-up:
Mats Jörgen Sivertsen - vocals, keyboards, guitars, loops
Vegard Weyergang Vartdal - vocals, bass, guitars, synthesizers, saxophone
Öyvind Rognerud - guitar, synthesixers, Rhodes
Paal Urdal - drums
with:
Madeleine Ossum - violin
Lotte Hellström Hestad - violin
Heidi Johnstad Arnesen - viola
Ingeborg Skomedal Torvanger - cello
Kjetil Jerve - piano
Jon Arild Stieng - guitars


Prolusion.
Norwegian band Yobrepus started out back in 2017, and released their debut album "Blakc Mould" the same year. Since then the band have signed to Norwegian label Apollon Records and released a further two albums on that label, with a third on the way in the fall of 2024. The album "A Rhizome Revolution Part 1" is their third and most recent studio album at the time of writing, and was released through Norwegian label Apollon Records in the spring of 2024.

Analysis.
It is a fairly accessible variety of progressive rock we get with this album. Some songs do come with some expressive attitudes and challenging arrangements, like the dramatic, dark toned synth bass that defines the opening song 'Stay Cool', but escapades of this kind are usually flanked or backed by passages of a much easier to grasp nature too. Again referencing to the opening song as an example, with the dreamladen, borderline ambient sections that alternates with the dark and dramatic passages already described in this song as a good example of that.

We do get a lot of material here that has what I'd describe as pop music sensibilities. Easygoing and compelling creations that float and flow in a manner that is easy to listen to and also suitable captivating in mood and atmosphere. With a little bit of possibly jazz inspired details thrown in on second cut 'The Enabler' and later on in 'Firestorm' or a big dramatic sound that adds tons of tension to the otherwise steady going 'Protozoa'.

The second half of this album see the band step a bit more away from the more directly expressive attitudes to a greater degree though, and hone in more closely to landscapes that are more gently compelling without making use of dramatic or overtly expressive elements. The song 'Holy Motors' alternate between a light and elegant section that have feature liberal amounts of pop music sensibilities with a partially acoustic guitar driven arrangement that reminds me of the more accessible side of late 80s Rush. And on the following compositions 'Firestorm' and 'Jupiter' comparisons to the more accessible side of Gilmour-era Pink Floyd and possibly also Norwegian band Airbag are arguably the dominant aspects of both of these songs. Possibly with a bit more such tendencies in the latter than in the former.

Mood and atmosphere are key elements throughout here, with controlled vocals and elegant arrangements and instrument details a presence in just about all of the songs and in many cases these tendencies are explored in depth and throughout the entirety of a song too. With the main exceptions to be found on the opening tracks of this production.

Conclusion.
While the initial parts of this album does feature material that have a little bit of a dramatic and expressive edge to them, the majority of the compositions on this production reside in the more accessible parts of the progressive rock universe. Fans of Gilmour-era Pink Floyd as well as those who enjoy the exploits of fellow Norwegian band Airbag strikes me as just about the perfect audience for this album, which in my book comes across as a solid example of music that explore these parts of the progressive rock universe.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, August 2024

Links:
https://www.yobrepus.com/
https://www.apollonrecords.no/