Yak - Alas Salvation (2016)

A nervy, magnetic, and photogenic English noise rock/garage punk trio from London, Yak is the creation of Black Country-bred suburbanites Oli Burslem and Andy Jones and New Zealand-born drummer Elliot Rawson. Employing the sonic heft of the Hives and the White Stripes along with the pop unpredictability of the Velvets, Television, and the Fall, the trio began functioning publicly in late 2014, issuing its debut single, "Hungry Heart," in February 2015. A Third Man Records-issued EP, No, followed in October of that year, and in May 2016 they released their much anticipated debut long-player, Alas Salvation. ~ James Christopher Monger.