There are many reasons to long for a quiet life. Some folks flee to the country to free themselves from the incessant drone of the city. For musicians, carving out a quiet corner away from the high frequency of crashing cymbals and snarling feedback can be as necessary as shedding layers when the seasons change. Sam Yield, the former bassist in the Brooklyn power-pop band Haybaby, soundtracks the introspective moments that come when you allow yourself moments of stillness, away from the constant metropolitan hum.
He has been releasing solo music since May 2020. Despite his first release being only a single, his recently released debut album Terra Australis showcases Yield’s lyrical, musical and production growth. But, its “guy with an acoustic guitar” style may turn some listeners off for its lack of diversity over its 34 minute runtime.
The title Terra Australis translated from Latin means “south land,” which snugly fits the stripped down album recorded, produced, mixed and mastered completely by Yield himself. With 13 songs, the album maintains the intimate nature akin to a wetsuit keeping you dry during a polar plunge. Yield’s vocals and finger picked guitar are presented in such a direct way that makes you believe not even oxygen was able to get between him and the microphone.
Regarding Yield’s lyrics, you can get a pretty good read of the man as someone who is deeply aware of the majesty of nature. Lines like, “the earth is iron and the sky is brass and the weight of it will press you flat” on “Jubilee” create a throughline in his work that displays self-awareness in a chaotic, unpredictable existence.
But, as thoughtful of a lyricist and as awe-inspiring of a musician and producer Yield is, it’s not enough to keep the listener engaged for the album’s entirety. There are some added textures like the occasional synth or plinks on the piano, but without fully fleshed-out arrangements for at least two songs to break things up, the album can lose your attention.
Yield is also clearly inspired by Sufjan Stevens’ early albums to a fault. The song “Cooper Park” is a prime example and perhaps the worst offender. With it’s lightning fast finger picking and wrung out banjo chords — and a build up of harmonies, tambourine and melodica — the track sounds like a single from the New Jersey entry in Stevens’ abandoned 50 state project.
With these criticisms aside, Yield has proven that he is capable of creating lived-in worlds with the microscopic detail of an (in a bottle) shipbuilder. With Tera Australis, he has created the foundation with the tools available to him and it is exciting to think of where he will go next.
Essential Tracks: “Jubilee” and “Heraclitus”
Prerequisites: Sufjan Stevens’ Seven Swans and Nick Drake’s Pink Moon