After a string of singles over the past few years, YNES has released the debut EP 'Born Loser': which impressively tackles a diverse range of highly political topics with an astute and critical eye.
'Born Loser', with its slicker production, lays out the modern experience of insufficiency, performative class solidarity, and evolving misogyny on a bed of classic punk riffs.
By kicking off with a straight punk guitar fuelled track, the EP introduces us to the artistic experience of YNES, caught in the underground scenes and wishing for the highs and successes of those at the top of the music industry. 'I Wanna Be Overrated', with its punch drums, does run on some tried and true punk formulas, but does not overstay its welcome as it clocks in under three minutes and is largely carried by the lyrics and personality of YNES.
The same can be said for the rest of the EP, with highlights such as 'The Daily Male' and 'Fake What Your Mama Gave Ya', borrowing from Riot Grrl traditions of songwriting. Clever turn of phrases and astute criticisms are made against 21st century masculinity and the new ways in which misogyny rears its head in the modern age. The latter of these tracks hits on the issue of performative class politics by the middle class with shocking and revealing accuracy. It explores the accumulation of social capital in the modern left by ignoring the material reality of their background. YNES hilariously deconstructs this false identity with pinpoint accuracy, making it an easy highlight for the EP.
Later moments on the project take stylistic detours by taking on 2000s indie aesthetics on 'Dizzy'. The track explores much more personal struggles with relationships and how disorienting the time spent with someone can be.
'Veneer' also takes on a different stylistic approach, this time being an indie pop type of balladry with a steady rim click beat and swelling strings in. Particularly with this track, the EP displays the thematic, lyrical, and genre reach of YNES in comparison with the rest of the project. The differences between this and the opener show the opposing, yet equally real, existence within a late stage capitalist society, complete with hyper commodification as well as the want for success in a deeply rooted and socialised ideology. The inescapability of this neoliberalism can sum up the experience of the artist, and YNES shows this with wit and straight punk aesthetics.
Overall, the EP exists as a statement of artistic merit for YNES. The lyrical talent and delivery carry the project even when the instrumentals tread previously covered ground for the genre. YNES shows great potential in the underground scene now, and we wish to see this develop with the artist in the future.
You can listen to 'Born Loser' now on all major streaming platforms, and you find out more about YNES here.
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