By Remi Rivard
Hailing from the Minneapolis music scene, Yam Haus is making waves nationwide with their newest project, ‘Stupid and Famous,’ a seven-song album with a newfound sound mixed and produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Phoenix, M83). Recently signed with Big Loud Rock, the album reflects a new direction for the trio as they embark on a co-headliner tour with duo Sawyer.
Yam Haus’ signature vibrant indie-rock sound is evident on this record, showcasing remarkable growth in songwriting maturity and musical complexity. Four of the tracks, including “Rafters,” “Sandcastle,” “Stupid and Famous,” and “Shakin’ Yer Hips,” were released as singles ahead of the album and are the most streamed songs on the project. Tracks like “Little Contradictions” and “Can’t See Anything” which feature sing-along choruses and Killers’ style guitar riffs sound worthy of headbanging fans at stadium stages.
“So Long” kicks off the album with wailing guitars, buoyant drums, and a confident half-spoken and half-sung vocal melody. Just under two minutes long, the song offers a brief, high-energy introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the project. Following is “Sandcastle,” an upbeat tune with Bleachers-esque verses and introspective lyrics depicting life’s tribulations as a musician. Yam Haus describes the continuous energy it takes to stay afloat and present in an ever-changing industry: “I don’t like being stuck up late at night / Deadlines never ending in my sight / I’m gonna crash, gonna burn out ’til the end / Then wake up and do it all again.”
Continuing this path of contemplation, “Little Contradictions” may be my favorite track off the album. With guitar arpeggios and pensive lyricism, the song is reminiscent of late ’90s’ and 2000s’ soul-searching anthems, like “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve and “Weightless” by All Time Low. Following is “Shakin’ Yer Hips,” with lyrics that further the album’s theme of self-doubt and struggling to grow juxtaposed with a playful chorus. One of the most vulnerable tracks, “Rafters,” is an emotive peak on the album. The song features distorted minor chords, steadfast drums, and verses that swell into a huge cinematic chorus.
Next, “Can’t See Anything” brings the energy back up after the album’s introspective and emotive middle section. Featuring a danceable, catchy melody examining ignorance and interpersonal struggles, it’s a successful transition between the former songs and the album’s title track. The title track, “Stupid and Famous,” features lighthearted lyrics poking fun at the societal obsession with fame and influencer culture in the social media age. It is one of the most feel-good tracks with a universal message about navigating the online hellscape.
Yam Haus’ newfound sense of self does not stop at the album; their live show is just as captivating. Performing at DC9 Nightclub October 15th, the band took the audience on a visual and energetic rollercoaster that transcended beyond their sound. Highlights from the show included lead singer Lars Pruitt hanging upside down from the ceiling, guitarist Zach Beinlich and drummer Jake Felstow swapping instruments intermittently throughout the set, a cover of ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ by Guns N’ Roses, and inviting a fan on stage to join them for a song.
The band’s electrifying stage presence creates a unique energy exchange with the audience, as fans would jump around with friends and strangers while singing along to every song. As fans waited to snap a picture with the band after the show, they often exchanged social media and contact information with others they met that night, an ode to a Yam Haus show’s upbeat, fun environment. Evidently the band’s new direction is creating an appealing soundscape and engaging concert experience that leaves old and new listeners hungry for more.
Listen to ‘Stupid and Famous’ available on all streaming platforms now.
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