THE YEARNING are one of the newest groups to sign to Elefant, where we continue to help give new bands a boost, both national and international ones. They were conceived as a studio project led by Britain’s Joe Moore. Many will compare THE YEARNING to bands like THE SCHOOL or CAMERA OBSCURA, and although there are aesthetic overlaps, there are also substantial differences in the way they conceive music and turn it into something very special of their own. Their sound is lighter, maybe closer to Phil Spector’s wall of sound, and they give it a dreamy tone with accentuated innocence, some of their songs giving off the sense of young romance in a way that owes its debt to Irving Berlin and Brian Wilson. With the delicious voice of Maddie Dobie (only 15 years old) and the collaboration of Justyna Halas (vocals), Gordon Campbell (guitar), Mark Kiff (guitar) and Zoe Illes (cello), they are capable of evoking some of the greatest moments of Motown, somewhere between doo-wop, pop-soul and the classic sixties sound.
This makes us proud to present their first release, a 10” Mini-LP entitled “Jukebox Romance” that really shows the best of all the good things THE YEARNING have to offer: innocent, exciting, hyper-melodic songs. This Mini-LP has A-side that stars three songs extolling the wonder of sweet, young love while the B-side is focused on the more bitter aspects of relationships. So, “You Make Loving’ You Easy” preciously and elegantly unfolds all the sweetness of Dusty Springfield or Blossom Dearie. “Baby Be Mine” is closer to the immediacy of THE MARVELETTES, THE PARIS SISTERS or Little Peggy March, with its small echoes of doo-wop. “The Way You Love Me” closes the “positive” trilogy with a folkier tone, but with the special charm of Skeeter Davis, Sandy Posey, and Jackie DeShannon. “Boy Racer” opens the round of sad stories with a melancholy-laden air and marvelous arrangements in the tradition of the best of THE RONETTES. “Kiss You in The Summertime” accentuates the jazz and lounge tones with BEACH BOY-styled harmonies. “Don’t Call Me Baby” brings things to a climatic close with its overwhelming, hyper-addictive, catchy chorus.
So we are celebrating this amazing introduction of one of our newest bands, who are ready to leave us all broken-hearted but at the same time thrilled with their unforgettable songs. Pay attention to THE YEARNING’s next steps, because their future is beyond promising.
