Lucid

Something fresh from Leeds Conservatoire comes in the form of five-piece fusion outfit Yaatri. The group have attracted comparisons to neo-soul favourites Hiatus Kaiyote – probably on the strength of B-âhwe’s vocals – but the comparison is short sighted. Yaatri’s debut album is far more expansive and ambitious. Opener ‘Creation’ sets cosmological-inspired lyrics to a jazz-rock odyssey that summons the spirit of Carlos Santana. The menacing riffs of ‘In the Clouds’ move things stylistically closer to prog-rock, while electro influences bubble to the surface throughout.

‘Gold’ is one of the record’s standout tracks, on which the group’s many influences combine compellingly. The vocals bounce off a catchy chorus hook before composer Liam Narain DeTar’s guitar leads us on an instrumental excursion that wears its Indian influence lightly but proudly. The different compositional voice of keyboardist Felix Bertulis-Webb is evident on Lucid’s other highlight, ‘Vipassana’. Here we find intricate yet laid-back horn lines, which herald a finale propelled by drummer Jona Tromp’s kinetic breakbeats. Lucid fizzes with ideas and eager energy. An assured debut that places Yaatri firmly in the ‘one to watch’ category.