Slow Pulp have returned with their second full length album Yard. Following on from their 2020 debut Moveys, the band have come back with a second album that builds on the sound created on their debut while taking it to the next level. While Yard is an indie rock album at heart, the band dips into folk, pop and even some punk elements through the album.
Managing to strike almost perfect balance between driving rock fuzz and sombre acoustic tones, the first three tracks alone let you know you’re in for something special. ‘Gone 2’ starts off the album slowly and wastes no time getting you tangled up in singer/guitarist Emily Massey’s emotions. “I’m living in between feelings, climb a wall keep falling down. Hoping it would be different, where’s your hand now pull me out” she sings coming to grips with being alone.
‘Doubt’ changes the tone from ‘Gone 2’ launching into a distinctly indie rock tone. With an early 2000’s feel, it’s filled with hooks, guitars and drums but the lyrics don’t exactly match the tone of the music. Keeping the pace set with ‘Doubt’, ‘Cramps’ is kicked off by a drum fill before huge fuzzy guitar tones come in. Again though, even with rock tones driving the song the lyrics carry a sense of melancholy with Massey singing “I’ll take anything, that you wanna give, but I want everything.”
The fuzzy guitar tones are a mainstay with them featuring on ‘Slugs’. With a lo-fi feel, ‘Slugs’ has one of the catchier chorus’ on Yard. Then it’s the title track, with Massey singing over a piano that feels slightly reminiscent of The Charlie Brown and Snoopy theme. Even with that in mind though the track is a high point of the album. With Massey’s vocals shining throughout the album, they especially take off on ‘Yard’.
Melancholy is an ever-present on the album, and doesn’t go away on ‘Carina Phone 1000’. Lyrically the album is a step up from Moveys with a much more mature and developed way of conveying emotions and telling stories. “I told you I’ve been trying all my best, I knew it wasn’t just in my head, that’s life I guess” is another example of Massey’s lyricism on Yard being a step up from anything before.
‘Worm’ is a rocker. Fuzzy tones are back, drums are back and loud and vocals are raised before one of the more diverse tracks in ‘MUD’. Starting acoustically, it lets you think you’re in for another ballad before firing into a pop-punk banger. Even with ‘MUD’ brimming with pop-punk energy, the lyrics are still sombre but at this point you’re expecting it.
‘Broadview’ is the one track that is unlike anything else on the album. Harmonica, lap steel and a banjo appear on the country/folk ballad. Massey harmonises with herself on this one with a vocal performance sure to blow you away. Adding country to the list of genres already appearing on Yard was not something expected, but something Slow Pulp exceeded in.
The final track ‘Fishes’ is another slow track to finish the album. A picked acoustic guitar and Massey’s vocals are the only instruments on the track but that’s all that is needed. “Maybe I kinda like myself, but only when I’m alone” is yet another example of Massey’s excellence on Yard with her vocals being softer and more spoken compared to the rest of the album.
Yard feels like a statement album – it feels like Slow Pulp have arrived. With so many indie rock artists releasing albums this year, Yard is up there with the best of them. It feels more developed and more personal than anything they’ve released before with every track offering something different. Whether you like the sadness and melancholy or outright rockers, Slow Pulp has something on Yard for you.
