Yard Act

Merging wiry post-punk minimalism with a dry and sometimes abstract wit, Leeds combo Yard Act built a devoted audience with early releases like 2020′s “The Trapper’s Pelts” and the 2021 EP Dark Days. After signing with Island Records, they issued their full-length debut, Overload, at the beginning of 2022.
Formed in 2019 by singer James Smith and bassist Ryan Needham, the duo worked out a distinctly spartan indie rock aesthetic before adding guitarist Sam Shjipstone and drummer Jay Russell to the lineup. They had just begun gigging when the 2020 pandemic shut down live operations. Focusing instead on studio work, Yard Act set up their own label, Zen F.C., and began releasing singles, starting with the eccentric Bill Ryder-Jones-produced “Trapper’s Pelts.” Along with songs like “Fixer Upper” and “Peanuts,” it later appeared on their 2021 EP Dark Days.
After signing with Island, Yard Act began the promotional buildup to their debut album, making their U.K. television debut on Later… With Jools Holland and notching plenty of airplay with singles like “The Overload” and “Payday.” Their first album, Overload, was released in January 2022. ~ Timothy Monger