Yuuf – Alma’s Cove Review

What does Yuuf sound like?

Instrumental organic and psychedelic music for retreats, relaxation, and some sunny day restoration.

The review of ‘Alma’s Cove’ by Yuuf

Having only discovered Yuuf last month, the European-based quartet have released their summery, tropical relaxation EP ‘Alma’s Cove’ at the perfect time. We’re experiencing a heat-wave in the UK (for us anyway), and so with the hottest weekend of the year, Yuuf’s lazy and hazy psych-rock brings the elixir of calm with it.

I used the genre term “psych-rock” with a caveat. Yuuf pairs the most serene guitars with the handpan. With the band drawing from so many inspirations and cultures, the music pours in Americana, Spanish guitar, and the breeziness of a Ghibli or slice-of-life anime soundtrack. After the rustling of opening track ‘Canopy’, which is like hearing the instruments rustling in the breeze, we are straight in with the cinematic ‘Iman’. It runs the whole gamut of styles, with Americana guitar twangs left to whistle on by, as light drums drift underneath with a lazy hike. Handpan is there, but more as a secondary rhythm than melody, but as the track switches rhythms and intensity, the handpan grows in flair. There is a big guitar solo finale before we return to the siesta of calm again.

The title track is simply sublime. The bass groove, the Spanish-inspired guitar that rolls off the fingers, and the more melodic handpan rhythms are a flow state. Add in tripping percussion and some balmy electric guitar hues that you’d hear in the most ambient post-rock albums, and you have near perfection. I have no notes. It is a 10 out of 10 track that I could have on repeat, especially on such a glorious day. ‘Open At Noon’ is a clever mash-up of cowboy western, Hawaii dreams, and some virtuoso guitar gymnastics. The cowboy elements are equally channelled through a flamenco-esque flair, so bizarrely, it reminds me of music that comes from Indonesia. I think it’s because the mood feels celebratory but raja-like too. That’s the joy of a melting pot of influences; you can be everywhere and nowhere and still feel at home. After the hoedown, we reach ‘Into The Blue,’ which is the most psych-rock track on the release. Folding in some blues guitar over comforting basslines that shuffle around like a ballroom dance in the desert, it’s a relaxed and unrushed way to close out a fine EP.

Yuuf has crafted a gorgeous sun-kissed release with ‘Alma’s Cove’. The tracks sometimes cross over into each other, creating a 20-minute calm space to soak up the good vibes. Each member of Yuuf is incredibly talented, and they all get their time to shine without it feeling like showing off. It’s tricky to balance what is a fairly unique recipe of instruments and influences, and keep it focused on the music. It’s something Yuuf seem laser-focused on. There’s no gimmicks here, only songs you’d have on repeat over and over again. Rejuvenating.

Recommended track: Alma’s Cove

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