So, further to announcing the February release of new album Odd Blood last week Yeasayer have made Ambling Alp, set to be the record’s second track, available for free download. Go HERE to get it.

Thoughts? It’s pretty polished, and I’m in two minds about the tracks overall slickness. I mean, it’s hardly mainstream - this is Yeasayer we’re talking about - but it’s certainly a lot more accessible than most of their first album. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but there’s a danger that the band are sacrificing the unique quirks that made them great in the first place. This is a pretty intense track, with its pounding drums and blaring horns, and it doesn’t really work as well as earlier tracks Tightrope or 2080 did. Where these tracks were carefully layered, gradually building throughout, Ambling Alp is a bit too busy and teeters on the edge of collapse for its four minute length.

Overall, though, while it’s a bit of a departure it’s hardly a bad track and I’ll bet it’s going to sound epic live. Who knows, by the time the album comes out in 3 months time I’ll probably love it.

Jed. x