Yukon Blonde have long been synonymous with retro-styled guitar rock, but the British Columbia outfit have expanded their sound with On Blonde. The album arrives on June 16 through Dine Alone Records, but you can get a taste of the group's new style ahead of time thanks to Exclaim!'s premiere of the track "Hannah."
While previously unveiled cuts from On Blonde have showcased a hooky, upbeat sound, "Hannah" is more slow-burning and atmospheric. It begins with watery-sounding guitar arpeggios and lush harmonies before the mood lifts a minute in with the entrance of a booming beat. The soundscape is warm and pillowy, and there's a sweetly meandering synth lead before the arrangement downshifts for a dreamy coda.
Apparently "Hannah" is named after Canadian songwriter Hannah Georgas. Frontman Jeffrey Innes said this about this song:
Right around the time that my girlfriend and I had broken up and my step dad was diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma, I found myself housemates with one of my friends, Hannah Georgas. She guided me through one of the most difficult times in my life and as a result, she became one of the best friends I've ever had.
So, that summer Hannah was invited to play Hillside in Guelph, one of our favourite festivals ever. As a joke I wrote and demoed a silly song and showed it to her when she got home at our coffee shop (that only ever played the Cranberries). Anyways, somehow the band got ahold of it and really liked it. We tore it apart, and turned it into what you're hearing. The synths on it are a Roland J3-xp, the drums were recorded using the technique Led Zepplin used for Houses of The Holy. Anyways, I don't think she's heard this, but if she's out there and can take time away from recording, this is for her.
Hear it down below, and be sure to check out Yukon Blonde's tour schedule at their website, as there are lots of U.S. and Canadian dates throughout the summer.
While previously unveiled cuts from On Blonde have showcased a hooky, upbeat sound, "Hannah" is more slow-burning and atmospheric. It begins with watery-sounding guitar arpeggios and lush harmonies before the mood lifts a minute in with the entrance of a booming beat. The soundscape is warm and pillowy, and there's a sweetly meandering synth lead before the arrangement downshifts for a dreamy coda.
Apparently "Hannah" is named after Canadian songwriter Hannah Georgas. Frontman Jeffrey Innes said this about this song:
Right around the time that my girlfriend and I had broken up and my step dad was diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma, I found myself housemates with one of my friends, Hannah Georgas. She guided me through one of the most difficult times in my life and as a result, she became one of the best friends I've ever had.
So, that summer Hannah was invited to play Hillside in Guelph, one of our favourite festivals ever. As a joke I wrote and demoed a silly song and showed it to her when she got home at our coffee shop (that only ever played the Cranberries). Anyways, somehow the band got ahold of it and really liked it. We tore it apart, and turned it into what you're hearing. The synths on it are a Roland J3-xp, the drums were recorded using the technique Led Zepplin used for Houses of The Holy. Anyways, I don't think she's heard this, but if she's out there and can take time away from recording, this is for her.
Hear it down below, and be sure to check out Yukon Blonde's tour schedule at their website, as there are lots of U.S. and Canadian dates throughout the summer.
