Ashes, Ashes EP cover
In September 2022 I had a pleasure to review a debut single by the Boston based quartet aptly named Yet To Bloom. “People Pleaser” turned out to be a maverick and I instantly fell in love with the band. I mean it`s hard not to go head -over- heels for a group of Berklee University students who got together after an Instagram poll and started to create some of the best pop rock tunes since Paramore almost from the get-go.
My instincts were right. In just 6 months from their debut Yet To Bloom proves to be so much more than four people with potential. Claire Hudson (vox/guitar), Ray Lee (guitar), Billie Bentil (bass) and Justin Liu smashed their way onto the scene with quite a force. To date their debut single amassed 95K streams from 14K monthly listeners and thousands of views on social media. They received radio airplay on both sides of the Atlantic and played gigs with such established acts as PinkShift. No big industry connections. Just one song out. It doesn’t happen often but it does happen in this warped, payola driven industry. And when real talent beats money and connections, it is a small reason for me to celebrate. A sign that soulless and malevolent forces that want to eradicate real artists from culture have yet not succeeded.
On 24th February the band released their first EP “Ashes, Ashes” that includes three songs. Besides “People Pleaser”, we get to hear two brand new tracks: “Step Up/Step Back” and “Thorn in Your Side”. And I have to say the debut single seems to be the weakest one! It took a really short time for the band to form their own sound and raise the bar significantly for themselves.
Yet To Bloom by LA Rodgers
“Thorn in Your Side” shows Yet To Bloom from a more sensitive, lyrical if not quieter side. It has that nostalgic feeling of Better Than Ezra signature tracks but it is delivered with calm passion and determination that brings Fiona Apple or Jewel to mind. If, like myself, you absolutely love Taylor Swift`s take on Breathless then this is a song that you will keep on repeat. In contrast “Step Up/Step Back” is a march to get things done, with short verses delivered in a melodic declamation. It is bursting with energy and power – works better than a cup of black coffee.
YTB are very clear in their demonstration that they are more than just the ability to write catchy tunes. Listen to their lyrics. Close your eyes if you have to and concentrate on the message they are sending. “People Pleaser” says volumes about life with anxiety and imposter syndrome. Nobody wrote a better track on the topic since Everclear`s “Everything to Everyone”. “Step Up/Step Back” deals with growing up with minimal support. It`s an angry song, even if it is worded politely. It is a statement of a person feeling lost in the world and having to work things out for themselves. “Thorn in Your Side” casts a light on toxic break ups where every ex is the crazy one and being cheated by an intimate partner.
Behind lively, radio friendly melodies the band speaks about their own generation`s fears, experiences and growing up. I may be an old Gen X`er here but I don’t think much has improved for younger people since I was at the university. If anything, the kids are still not alright. Many young people will only have music for their companion and I strongly believe that they will need Yet To Bloom and their message.
I already said in my previous review that there is something special about this band. If they keep at it, if they don’t give up – there is a good chance that they will be climbing to the top. March is not too late for a NYE wish, is it. Cause I haven’t made one yet and I kind of know what it is now.
You can follow the band on socials:
https://www.tiktok.com/@ytbband
https://www.instagram.com/ytbband/
https://twitter.com/ytb_band
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085438608039
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCorcOu-KdKjTw_ceL0S5Vyw
https://soundcloud.com/yet-to-bloom
https://yetyobloomband.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/30XWpHxpWYc3gmP40m7r56?si=-MICcFbaSpm8fTVfstkpuQ&nd=1
Read also this review, because I think it hits the nail on the head:
https://vanyaland.com/2023/02/28/yet-to-bloom-burn-through-youth-on-debut-ep-ashes-ashes/
Malicia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 
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