Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It's Blitz

Much of the hype surrounding It’s Blitz focused on Yeah Yeah Yeahs triumphantly announcing that it wont be like anything they have ever done before. To add to the speculation in an e-newsletter Modular proclaimed “It’s Blitz! was inspired by the ’70s disco collaborations between Italian producer Giorgio Moroder and R&B songstress Donna Summer, Joy Division, and, well, Karen O’s love of dancing.” As the first single from the album, Zero, hit the airwaves all was confirmed. The track set a precedent for a highly produced album edging from grungey - indie over intro something more electronic.

Zero is perfectly placed as the opening track of It’s Blitz, it’s flickering guitar riff stirring every ounce of excitement you might have had for this release right up as you follow it to the ecstatic crescendo at the end of the song. And then, before you know it, Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead us into self proclaimed unchartered territory. To confirm that Zero wasn’t just a dabble in a new sound Heads Will Roll hammers the genre home, synthesizers and samplers hard at work.

Karen O’s spunky, chanting vocals still grace the album (just in case you were worried everything had changed) but they are accompanied by far more polished tracks, at the expense of that raw sound many fans know and love. But there is no need to mourn the passing of Yeah Yeah Yeahs their sound of old still very much remains in this new form, only their guitar and drums have been passed through the filter of electro and some experience.

For most fans It’s Blitz will feel like having your cake and eating it to. The band has taken a new and exciting direction without forgetting where they came from. This is very much confirmed by Dull Life and Shame and Fortune, two tracks capturing the fast and heavy sound that had you bouncing off your bedroom walls when listening to Show Your Bones. The only time I stopped smiling while listening to It’s Blitz for the first time was when Dragon Queen jumped out of left field. Its The Ting Tings - like dancey, playfulness is a real surprise.

It’s Blitz really proves Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ desire to evolve and grow as musicians. They have really nailed the genre shift, however small it may be, demonstrating a maturity and skill that should allow them to be one of Indie’s all time greats.

4/5