Yeek brings understated melancholic grooves to Union Stage

July 18, 2024

Constantly being described as “genreless” reveals very little about Los Angeles-based artist Yeek, whose experimental indie rock builds on subtle hip-hop rhythms and youthful, lovelorn musings. Despite the vague and directionless label, Yeek’s music aptly captures an in-between space, where 20-something transplants and digital wanderers continue to contend with the rosy possibilities and callous realities.

“Went to London / Finally had the funds / Felt like I was always on the run / I move fast anyway / But I love you any day,” Yeek sang, opening with the moody but fast-paced “Cleaner Air” for his D.C.show Sunday night at Union Stage.

His live performance infused spirit and multidimensional vulnerability with a sound that could’ve felt aimless but instead was full-bodied and complex, crystallized in his latest release, the acerbic but somehow still buoyant EP, “IDK WHERE.”

Though based on the West Coast, Yeek grew up in the Naples, Fla., area, and claims a creative community with roots in the southern part of the state. He told Highsnobiety last year that he grew up surrounded by instruments, with his dad making music for church and other family members re-creating Nirvana tracks.

In 2015, Yeek focused his silken guitar and rhythmic, emotional contemplations for the “Love Slacker” album, growing defiant and rowdier in 2017’s “Sebastian.” Last year, he showcased a subtly tender side in his EP “Blackheart,” where he learned to slow down before barreling forward for “IDK WHERE.”

Onstage, Yeek also added a sense of joy that wasn’t discernible on record, especially given his lyrical content, which is often littered with shallow connections and bitter partings. “Hollow Point” became more vivacious with a seductive bass line and Yeek’s surprisingly smoky timbre. “Too Fast” transformed with a pliable head voice and an engulfing guitar reverb.

And for the hair-tossing “Shake,” with its play on tempo and dynamics, Yeek’s command to “Open up the pit” cleared the way for a raucous dance floor that even caused someone to lose their keys.

Though Yeek’s music is appropriate for long, solo drives down a coast or melancholic summertime feelings, his mesmerizing vocals and agile guitar playing in concert gave form and charm to what could have stayed nebulous, shapeless sounds.

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