Yeule: Serotonin II Vinyl LP

London-via-Singapore artist and producer Nat Ćmiel spent her high school years consuming Mazzy Star, Massive Attack and My Bloody Valentine, simultaneously logging hours on MMORPGs and engaging with early online social networks, which opened a world of “multiple identities, multiple avatars, being able to not be the you that youʼre stuck with.” This chameleonic time-slip ideology is embodied in the yeule project, which Ćmiel describes as “a vessel for me to archive important points in my life; each song released in its respective era reflects that part of myself.” The moodiness of the aforementioned musical influences courses through Serotonin II, but yeule’s meticulous production also suggests heavy consumption of melodically gratifying video game soundtracks (the name yeule is a tribute to Final Fantasy XIII-2 character Paddra Nsu-Yeul, who is burdened with the power of prophecy and knows the exact moment she will die. However, she is forbidden to change the timeline in order to save herself). The disarming and vulnerable “Pocky Boy” is an immediate standout; also check out “Pretty Bones,” “Pixel Affection,” “Poison Arrow” and “Eva.” These tactile and saccharine moments are punctuated with tender DAW ambient meditations (“Your Shadow,” “See You Space Cowboy”) and vaporous soundscape pop (“Veil Of Darkness,” “Reverie,” “Blue Butterfly”), demonstrating a versatility that places her in a league with kindred spirits Negative Gemini, George Clanton, Tentenko or Grimes at her most subdued. Black vinyl edition with download code, recommended.

• black vinyl pressing
• full color printed inner sleeve
• digital download included
• music label: Bayonet Records 2019

reviewed by laughable butane bob 10/2019