Many, many moons ago following a particularly long lull between proper Massive Attack releases (About 6 years this time out), an EP was finally released by the Trip-Hop legends and we remember clearly after hearing Ritual Spirit declaring to no one in particular that the 4 songs on that release were not only worth the wait but also were probably better than most full-lengths in the year it was released. That same sentiment goes for Yours, With Malice from Youth Code.
It’s been about 4 years since Youth Code’s collaborative album with King Yosef and over 9 since 2016’s Commitment to Complications so despite the band consistently touring, there’s been some TIME since their last proper releases. And like a combination of “Without skipping a beat” and “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”, Yours, With Malice absolutely delivers with 5 tracks that completely decimate the competition in whatever genre you think Youth Code belong in.
“No Consequence” is both a refresher and a reminder of the potency that the duo of multi-instrumentalists Sara Taylor and Ryan George bring to the world of Industrial Aggro EBM with buzzing synths before the beats practically explode out of the speakers along with Taylor’s signature scream. “Wishing Well” settles into a gnarly Groove as Taylor’s bouncy bark plays nicely off George’s apocalyptic synthetic atmosphere with “In Search Of Tomorrow” coming in hot as George lays out some intricate electronics and a killer melody straight from the beginnings of New Wave and Electronic music (Read: Early ’80’s).
Rounding out the mini-record is a pair of tunes that will definitely have listeners praying to whatever higher power they worship that more new Youth Code is coming sooner rather than later as “Make Sense” plays around with differing tempos and moods within the same blistering aural assault that’s like an ESA and Combichrist mash-up except for that fact that you have Taylor using the mic like a weapon on every note delivered and there’s just no comparison to that. “I’m Sorry” arrives next to round the new EP out and sounds just NASTY in your headphones or cranked up in whatever mode of transportation suits you. Actually, scratch that. Doesn’t matter where/how you listen, just crank it up. You won’t know whether to headbang or hop up and down and that’s okay with Taylor and George laying it all out on this incendiary finale that again plays with tempo tantrums and some interesting sounds out of both players.
Yours, With Malice is out now through new label home at Sumerian Records and you can find the digital or physical version you like best by heading here. For more from Youth Code, head to the interwebs and click here or here for the latest.