Yard Act announce second album, ‘Where’s My Utopia?’ and share lead single ‘Dream Job’
Leeds-based post-punk outfit Yard Act have announced their second album, Where’s My Utopia?, which is set for release on March 1st, 2024, via Island Records.
The upcoming record follows the success of their debut, The Overload. Released in early 2022, the album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and charted at number two. Since then, Yard Act have toured extensively but have now finally announced plans for album two, which has been produced in collaboration with Gorillaz member Remi Kabaka Jr.
The announcement is accompanied by the release of the groovy lead single, ‘Dream Job’, which features frontman James Smith’s distinctive vocals and a prominent bassline.
According to Smith, the track is “an apt introduction” to the themes which are explored throughout the record, “though not all-encompassing”.
He explained: “In part, I was scrutinising and mocking myself for being a moanin ungrateful little brat, whilst also trying to address how the music industry is this rather uncontrollable beast that hurtles forward unthinkingly and every single person involved in it plays their part. Myself included, obviously.”
“As with pretty much everything else going through my head last year,” he continued. “Trying to find the right time to articulate the complexity of emotions I was feeling and the severity to which I was feeling them couldn’t be found – or accommodated, so instead I tried to capture it in a pop song that lasts less than three minutes once the fog had cleared a bit. It’s good and bad, I’m still glad that everything that happened to me happened.”
The accompanying music video for ‘Dream Job’ was directed by James Slater. It sees the band performing the track surrounded by costumed dancers.
The band have also announced a gig at Millenium Square in Leeds on August 3rd, 2024. With a capacity close to 6,000, it will mark their biggest hometown show yet.
Watch the video for ‘Dream Job’ below.
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