Yeti Season

Description

After the release of Adult Themes in 2020, which was intended as the soundtrack for an imaginary film, El Michels Affair is back with a new album, Yeti Season, that takes us in a different direction with new inspirations, including a dose of Turkish funk and a nearly Mumbai-esque approach to soul. The first track "Unathi" features the beautiful voice of Piya Malik, a member of the group 79.5. With her Hindi singing, Piya calls on us to fight together for progress. Even without understanding the language, the urgency of the message seems clear. The singer, who had a vital influence on this record, appears on three other songs from the album, "Zaharila," "Murkit Gem," and "Dhuaan." There is also a guest appearance by Shannon Wise from The Shacks on the melodic and hypnotic "Sha Na Na." Between Shannon's airy vocals, the nervous bass line, and the incisive drum gimmick, the track feels like an introspective walk after a strangely dramatic night. Yeti Season may be more of a feeling than a place or a time. It’s a hopeful record that suggests the best is yet to come. We hear it in "Ala Vida" with its atmospheric brass landscapes and in "Fazed Out," which leaves us with a strong sense of determination, as its march-like structure could accompany a conquering army. This persistence likely stems from the fact that the album was finalized by Leon Michels and his band during the lockdown, a particularly challenging time. It may have taken a year like 2020 to find hope in a winter creature with large, hairy paws like the Yeti!