Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cool It Down

Indie Rock – Released September 30, 2022 – 8 songs, 32 mins

LUNDI

This week on TSR we are once again throwing it back to the early 2000’s as we feature New York CIty’s finest Yeah Yeah Yeahs. To say the band have an incredible history would be selling them short. Long have they been critical darlings for the publications but even more so in the garage punk scene as YYYs experienced a rapid ascension due to their love amongst that demographic. With only a 13 minute EP under their belts the band was tapped as a tour opener for The Strokes and The White Stripes which went so well they had their own headlining tour all before even releasing a studio album. After that incredible and nearly unheard of start, the band carried the momentum through four critically acclaimed albums over 10+ years before ultimately taking a hiatus in 2013. Nearly 10 years later the band have put their skills back on the table and given the music world a fifth album, Cool It Down. Let’s dig into to their long awaited return. 

From first listen it is clear that the star factor in lead singer Karen O still shines bright after all these years. Her vocal delivery and range is unique and powerful. She hits the highs and lows of the vocal register and everything in between but also throws in New Yorker twang and spoken word deliveries to keep the listener on their toes. While you would never mistake her for someone else, she brings something slightly different to every track which heightens the overall experience. She is a true show woman in the live setting who brought that experience to Cool It Down as her prowess at the lead begs you to picture how excellent of a concert this material could produce. Just think of the lights!

The music itself is booming with heavy synths and distorted guitars which is greatly elevated by the trio of credited producers. While the band certainly deserve praise for laying some excellent base tracks, it’s the masterful production which makes this album so great. The album can surprise you with abrupt shifts  in style or amaze you with expertly layered elements and timely added electronic effects. Each track is its own, never sounding repetitive or dull. It’s 8 complete tracks with not a second out of place. 

Overall what the YYYs have done on Cool It Down is simply impressive. TSR has had its share of rookies trying to break out, mainstays producing quality albums, and vets circling back for the cash grab, but of all the reviews nothing is comparable to what Yeah Yeah Yeahs accomplished with this comeback. It’s fresh, it pushes boundaries, it’s invigorating. You’d never say they spent 10 years on the sidelines. The music world is a much better place with them back in it. 

Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Cool It Down is a sharp, consistent, and concise record. For the first time ever I find myself wishing an album was longer. 

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Favourite Song: Spitting Off the Edge of the World

ROZ

On this review, the TSR trifecta comes across a new album from a band who’s stayed quiet for a very long time. Cool It Down is the fifth studio album by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and is also their first record in the last nine years. Not being overly familiar with the group (other than playing their hit song Maps on Rock Band dozens of times back in the day), this reviewer was very excited to throw on his headphones and see what it was that warranted this return.

Cool It Down’s strength is in its diversity of elements. Larger-than-life synth chords and a washed out vocal lead permeates through the stereo field in Spitting Off the Edge of the World, with slap delays and deep reverberation effects being liberally applied. The drums are simple, yet keep the remaining elements in line with a solid, yet somber groove. Perfume Genius is a pleasant addition to this introductory track, an individual talent in his own right. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform live when he blew through my city of Halifax this past summer, and he did not disappoint. 

The record continues to impress as Lovebomb’s intoxicating synth work - detuned pad chords and all the atmosphere that they bring along with them - serves as the perfect compliment to Karen O’s vocal prowess. Wolf’s rolling digital bassline and cinematic orchestral arrangement adds additional depth to Cool It Down as a whole, highlighting once again the elemental diversity spoken of beforehand. With Fleez bringing about a Chemical Brothers-esque big beat sound, these block rockin’ beats were really getting this reviewer going.

Sadly, it is not long after that where the record starts living up to its namesake, as it abruptly begins to cool down past the halfway mark. The album suddenly becomes unable to keep up with the quality of its first four tracks - Karen O’s performances on both Burning and Different Today leave much to be desired. While Blacktop is in itself a decent song, it simply isn’t enough to prevent the back-end from sagging on what is already a criminally short record. After such a long hiatus one would expect more than 32 minutes of content; seven tracks and a closing track that is effectively a postlude.

While Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Cool It Down might have a couple of ‘No’s’ in there as well, the records overall diversity of sounds and strong front half are large enough positives to justify checking it out.

Overall Rating: 7.9/10

Favourite Song: Spitting Off the Edge of the World

REID

At this point it feels redundant to say I’m listening to a new artist or one I’ve yet to give the time of day… but facts are important. This time it comes in the form of an alt rock trio from New York. Yeah Yeah Yeahs were on fire in the early 21st century, releasing four records from 2003 to 2013. The first three were Grammy nominated for best alternative album. Impressive start to a career. After a nearly decade-long break, they reunite for their fifth, Cool It Down.

My brain tends to fixate on the immediate when exploring an artist or downloading an album on my streaming service of choice. Two common interests are band name origins and album covers. YYYs is from NY City vernacular and it’s cool to know they appreciate their roots. Couldn’t help but be reminded of this episode of Seinfeld. Comedy gold. At a quick glance, Cool It Down’s art appears to show a lady in a colourful outfit in free fall. After a few listens through, tracks like Spitting Off the Edge of the Earth and Burning establish a theme of climate crisis, providing more insight to the imagery. Both songs kicking ass add to the impact. The woman is well-dressed, clutch in hand, falling to her demise in burning ruin. I don’t want to go all ‘Al Gore’ here but you’d have to be blissfully ignorant not to notice the significance of the worldwide trends. Hopefully we can reverse the patterns before it’s too late. 

With Karen O on piano and vocals, Nick Zinner splitting time on guitar and keyboard and Brian Chase on drums, the band’s synth driven indie rock sound is a treat. The eight song, 32-minute runtime is composed of a very tight, efficient mix. A mix catered to their most powerful of instruments, Karen’s voice. It’s soothing while quiet in the melancholy Lovebomb and Blacktop, fierce and edgy in Wolf and Fleez and playful in the pop-rock, Different Today. Her talent was obvious with the limited previous knowledge I had of the band with hits, Heads Will Roll and Maps, but I come away with a heightened appreciation.

Before I wrap things up, a little tidbit – Lovebomb made me think me of something and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then it came to me. The slow swelling synth chord is comparable to the final scene of the amazing film, Inception. I like it even more.

Cool It Down is short and sweet that gets better with each listen. Karen O and the crew’s comeback is a success and I’m encouraged to dig into their earlier stuff.

Overall Rating: 7.8/10

Favourite Song: Burning