Founded by Akiko Sampson with collaboration by Winter Zora, Yama Uba’’s debut album Silhouettes is a nostalgic rush of gothic darkwave that has echoes of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bauhaus.
On the album Akiko comments,
“‘Silhouettes’ was meant to be a quickly written album but ended up taking five years, reflecting times of heartache, perseverance and emotional breakthroughs. In writing this album we redefined not just our music, but also ourselves in the process. As a whole, ‘Silhouettes’ is about personal transformation and self-discovery, and is a reckoning with the power of time.”
At the forefront of Silhouettes are the vocals of both Akiko and Winter, whose expressive delivery adds layers of depth to each track. From the infectious energy of “Shapes,” propelled by disco-infused rhythms and electrifying synths, to the raw emotion of “Facade,” where blistering guitars collide with industrial beats, every song is a testament to the band’s mastery of their craft.
But it’s not all high-energy anthems. Yama Uba showcases their versatility with a cover of The Passions song “I’m in Love with a German Film Star” and infuses it with love struck reverence. The album’s final track, “Angel,” sees Yama Uba take an introspective turn that is a hauntingly beautiful finale.
