Yard Act share new single ‘Petroleum’
Leeds-based post-punk purveyors Yard Act have unveiled ‘Petroleum’, the second single from their upcoming sophomore record, Where’s My Utopia? The new album is set for release on March 1st, 2024.
‘Petroleum’ follows the release of lead single ‘Dream Job’, which saw Yard Act venture into groovier territory. The new single finds James Smith continuing to contemplate his growing success and place in the music industry. Over prominent guitars, he muses, “Imagine if I had to give you my soul in a moment where my soul was asleep.”
According to the vocalist himself, the new track was inspired by a difficult interaction Smith had with the audience while on tour. “I lost it with the crowd in Bognor Regis and told them I was bored and I didn’t want to be there,” he explained, “Me and Ryan had a row after, and Ryan rightly dressed me down for the way I acted.”
The situation prompted Smith to consider the falsities and facades at the centre of the industry. He explained, “It got me pondering the idea that, now this is a job, what are the requirements of it? People think they want honesty but they don’t, they want me to portray the version of honesty that they’ve paid to see and that’s part of the illusion.”
The new track is accompanied by a music video featuring New Zealand-born comedian Rose Matafeo. “You know what the soul needs? Petroleum,” she declares before the camera pans to the band performing the track.
“I screen most of my phone calls,” Matafeo shared, “but when the phone flashes up ‘JAMES YARD ACT’ you’re gonna pick that up straight away. To feature in a Yard Act video has been on my bucket list ever since I added it to my bucket list after they asked em so I could have the satisfaction of crossing it off my bucket list.”
‘Petroleum’ provides a second glimpse at the upcoming sophomore record from Yard Act, Where’s My Utopia? Watch the video for the new track below.
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