Yeasayer/Light Asylum
Koko, London
27/05/2010

Support for the evening comes from post-punk goth-poppers, Light Asylum. Basically the pseudonym for music-maker and one !!! touring vocalist Shannon Fuchness; it feels like an electronic mash of Pet Shop Boys with Sisters Of Mercy and Bauhaus. Deep, dark and brooding, this modern take on the 80s sound is viciously infectious.

Beloved hipsters of choice, Yeasayer are certainly surrounded by an effervescent hype since the release of their second album ‘Odd Blood’ (extra points if you liked them first time round), but there is a lot to love about this New York quintet. A curious collection of tribal beats, prayerful vocals, psychedelic swirling electronics and the occasional dub-influenced moment, there is something ridiculously atmospheric about the soundscapes they create. Thankfully, it transforms into an emotional rollercoaster of a show, most fitting to the plush, theatrical surroundings of Koko.

Summery, shimmering, and awash with tinkling electronics, ‘I Remember’ is full of lazy dripping harmonies which segue neatly into a resonating version of ‘Sunrise’, falling into doom before rising to a glorious tribal celebration. The clever juxtaposition of sunlight and celebration alongside echoing low sounds creates an engaging story of emotion that binds the whole performance together. Tonight’s rendition of ‘The Children’ is barely recognisable from the album track and boasts a terrifyingly deep vocodor and dark synths. And other highlights of the evening include recent single, ‘O.N.E’, an upbeat ‘Ambling Amp’, and the unashamedly dance-pop party that is ‘Mondegreen’.

At one point, frontman, and member of the band’s core trinity, Chris Keating makes worrying reference to the possibility of the venue’s huge disco ball crashing to the floor, crushing those below. But from the looks on the contented faces of the swaying, dancing masses, it’d all have been worth it.

Louise McHenry