It sure isn't summer, and this is really not the Balkans, but Yurt Party’s new self-titled album refutes that.
Back with another one of them Balkan rocking beats, Yurt Party’s debut is jazzy, erratic, and full of zest and energetic grooves, with flavour notes of ska, dub, and bergamot. It’s seven tracks of thigh-slapping, foot-stomping Balk ‘in Roll.
The old adage “jazz is about the notes you don’t play” doesn’t hold water here; there isn't much that Yurt Party misses in their frenetic performance. The recording does well to capture Yurt Party’s explosive energy, but you really have to see them live to fully appreciate it.
I guess that’s my only complaint…
Music like this is a celebration of life. A way to dance the poison out at the end of a workday. It doesn’t help anyone when it’s trapped in your music player of choice. Sure, you can play it too loud in a Wellington coffee shop, or in your car driving around the bays, but neither of those places are appropriate to dance the way you ought to when listening to Yurt Party. If you get a chance, then this is a band you’re going to want to see, nay experience, live.
Without vocals, Yurt Party feels like a cinematic soundtrack to some international film that’s made its way onto NZ Netflix. Yippity is a newsflash, cutting away to double-time CCTV footage of loveable criminals wearing those glasses with the oversized noses making a daring getaway. With track Pea Straw Thief, we have our cocky protagonist making their way down a sunny street, sunglasses tipped down his nose, wives watching on from the al fresco cafe seating. Hot Pickles, the daring third act heist... You get the picture. Or at least I did...
While not their first effort, Yurt Party have been around for years, it’s a good effort. Catch them live if you can, but this should keep you going in the off season.
You can find Yurt Party on the Yurt Party Bandcamp.
Footstomping fusions of Balkan, Latin and Dub goodness. Sigh to haunting Romani violin melodies, and whoop to the tropically inspired grooves. The Christchurch-based band have had people dancing from festivals to house parties.