Yakul - 'Start Here'
Brighton’s very own Yakul share their new track ‘Start Here’ which proves to be an incredible display of what the future soul outfit are all about.
The group have been hotly tipped going into 2024 by various big names including Complex… and for good reason. Drawing on a wealth of influences from D’Angelo to J Dilla, Yakul have yet again come together to produce a breath-taking number which oozes coolness and freedom through its mysterious horns and groovy basslines.
The track truly shows off the band’s chemistry. Numerous sections combine to produce one fluid sound which drives the track through its verses. The way that the band combine is phenomenal, and a real spacey feeling is created through the combination of sounds on display.
The vocals are something to behold. Lead singer James Berkeley takes listeners on an audible journey with his voice, which begins calm and settled in the verses and is heightened and matched by captivating instrumentation in the choruses.
The singer has said, on the origins of the song: “We travelled to the middle of nowhere to write new music and this was the very first song we came up with… I played the chords on a Moog Matriarch and the rest of it came together in about 30 minutes. Since then, it really felt like the start of this new era.”
‘Start Here’ seems to capture these emotions of new beginnings perfectly. At the start there’s some tension, portrayed by the brass horns. But as the track progresses it becomes a free-flowing, intensely cool number that is filled with confidence.
The group have enjoyed airplay from some of the most well-known outlets, from BBC Radio 1 to Jazz FM, and it really is no surprise. The quality that they possess is undeniable, but what is more striking is the unity in their sound. ‘Start Here’ flows effortlessly, capturing an array of emotions as it unfolds.
Yakul are really drawing attention to themselves as they put their name on the future soul map. ‘Start Here’ will undoubtedly have listeners hooked from the get-go, and fans will hope to hear more from the Brighton Band in the near future.
Words by Matthew Caslin
