Support: The Plastics + Plastic Flowers

Maybe it’s just a coincidence or maybe it’s actually a necessity to have your roots in a steel-producing town like Sandviken to acquire a deep enough longing for somewhere else, if you happen to be dreamy, alternative guys who play music. YAST, the lo-fi romantics, are just that. The band was formed in 2007 by Carl Kolbaek-Jensen, Tobias Widman and Marcus Norberg. In 2008, they were lured down to Malmö and a couple of years ago Markus Johansson and Niklas Wennerstrand, the drummer and bass player from the postrock band Aerial, joined forces.

In 2013 they finally released their self titled debut album together with a string of glimmering singles. “Believes”, “Strangelife”, “Stupid”, “I Wanna Be Young” and ”YAST” took them to distant bloggs and caotic venues all around the world. A better international respons on a debut album is hard to find. In addition to this viral attention, they have played tons during the year including together with related artists such as TOY, The Drums, Tame Impala and DIIV. Plus a UK tour and several festivals. Here’s the band’s take on their first album:

“Describing YAST can be hard, but also really easy. On the one hand, it’s just plain and simple pop with a verse, chorus and solo. Songs about love, loneliness and confusion. With stolen melodies in a language a three year old could understand. On the other hand, it’s our love, our loneliness and our confusion. It took just over a year and a half to record the album. But it feels like the first seed for what would finally become a record was sown back in 2008 when we moved to Malmö. We have the people we got to know there to thank for everything, and the city itself to thank for all the inspiration. But basically, this is a love album, about good and less good relationships, based on true events. And if it reaches out and touches people in any way, then we’re happy.”

Now, 2 years later, they’re back with a new single, the first taste of the upcoming second album due this fall. Titled ‘When You’re Around’, the single has already received great reviews filled with anticipation for their coming releases.

“Swirling and romantic, the track resounds with a blissed out yearning that proves impossibly infectious. “Even when I’m down, God, I love when you’re around,” the vocals echo, chiming guitars and upbeat rhythms crafting a spell it’s hard not to fall under. With it’s euphoric melody and enchanting lyrics, this is sun-drenched pop at it’s most endearing – an ode to the addictive feeling of devotion.”