We’ve all heard, and some maybe even experienced, the pressures of releasing a debut album. If done correctly, a debut can form cult-like fans, draw the eyes of critics, and start a legacy for an artist. For Yukimi, the Little Dragon vocalist, she’s already accomplished all of those things. Her work with the electro-pop outfit has caught the ears of legends like Mac Miller and the Gorillaz and sent the band on worldwide tours. Yukimi is already one of the most innovative voices the pop world has seen in the past few years, and she could’ve easily kept her head down and continued to build the Little Dragon legacy. Rather than take the easy route, the singer/songwriter sets her sights on For You, her proper solo debut, out this Friday (March 28). The 13-song effort properly introduces Yukimi as an individual as she exercises her vocal prowess across jazzy minimalism for an awe-inspiring solo outing.
In the best way possible, Yukimi sounds almost unrecognizable in her solo work. While the quaint warmth of her wistful vocals still drives her sentiments home similarly lushly as her work with Little Dragon, For You is far from her band’s electrifying, danceable pop. This is unassuming, refreshing jazz that airs on the side of simplicity, allowing Yukimi’s vocal range to reach astounding heights. These stellar vocal performances deliver heartfelt songwriting that strikes a delicate balance between being relatable to the listener and vulnerability for the artist, almost as if Yukimi is waving us into her world for the first time. The atmosphere on For You is welcoming and reflective as the artist combs through her experiences and influences to emerge with an LP that cements Yukimi as an integral part of modern music.
“That’s why I’m calling this album For You. Because, even though it’s about me, it’s equally about you,” says Yukimi on the album’s introduction. This sentiment echoes throughout the lighthearted jazz balladry of the album as the artist prepares us for a sprawling display of her vocal range. These vocal performances, while beautifully crafted in their own right, deliver the songwriting that truly separates Yukimi from her peers. The artist fearlessly delves into deeply personal memories, like on the infectiously beautiful “Elinam” or the more pop-leaning “No Prince.” These pieces of autobiographical wizardry melt through the speakers gently, letting longtime fans of Yukimi’s work feel a bit closer to the mysterious vocalist. She pens these profoundly personal pieces as folk tales, allowing the listener to see themselves in the artist’s story.
For You holds a mirror up to the listener just as much as it details Yukimi’s personality, giving these songs a uniquely introspective touch. Her new jazz-pop approach is consistently mesmerizing across these 13 songs, and that consistency is part of what makes Yukimi’s solo debut such an astounding success. The arrangements never stray too far from the electro-jazz simplicity they introduce from the jump, allowing the artist to explore the nuances of personal experience and find a way to reflect these findings to the world. The slow-burning “Make Me Whole” features a palpable longing that slides over subtle ambiance, leaving just enough room for some earth-shattering vocal runs, and the POS-assisted “Jaxon” looks to uplift future generations over hard-hitting drums and warping keys.
Either way you slice it, Yukimi struck modern music gold on For You. These thirteen songs are spellbinding pieces of self-reflection that double as a proper introduction to an artist whose relentless creativity is seemingly only beginning to blossom. Yukimi’s newfound jazzy tendencies are a welcome detour from her Little Dragon work as we get closer to better understanding a musical enigma. No bells or whistles are needed; For You is simply a jaw-dropping piece of contemporary music that places Yukimi as an invigorating and needed figure in the current pop pantheon.
