Yana - Distant Shore EP Review

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Readers of this blog will be no stranger to Yana. She is a singer songwriter who has strong ties to Ireland but is based in Czech Republic. Between September 2019 and March 2020, Yana released three singles in the lead up to her brand new debut EP Distant Shore. The three singles that feature on the EP were Distant Shore, Will You Be There? and Trapped In A Cage. The only song from the EP not previously released is The Book Of Your Life. Yana calls this song her special song as it is a tribute to the late Fergus O'Farrell of Cork band Interference. In a touching appreciation, the EP was released on June 30th to coincide with Fergus' birthday. The EP is available to stream on SoundCloud or to purchase on CD from Bandcamp. Links to both are below.

Watch the video for The Book Of Your Life here:


The EP begins with the title track Distant Shore. This song was written about the abortion referendum of 2018 and features Liam Ó Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers fame on piano and backing vocals. There's a haunting playfulness to this song. Yana's unique delivery tackles the seriousness of the subject whilst the music adds a mischievous element. 
Will You Be There? also features Liam Ó Maonlaí and finds Yana offering up absurdly satisfying vocals . The combination of the stunningly beautiful piano and the aggressive guitar chords really drive the song home. 
Trapped In A Cage features the cello talents of Elaine McCarthy from The Lost Gecko. The strings add a whole new dimension to the eerie music that Yana creates. Yana's Irish accent is very evident on this song especially on the whispering parts.
The EP concludes with The Book Of Your Life which was co-written with Liam Oragh and fetaures The Frames' Colm Mac Con Iomaire. This track is unlike the other three as it is of a more upbeat nature and is a celebration of life. It's clear that Yana poured her heart into these lyrics with a very fitting tribute to the late singer.


Follow Yana:
SoundCloud
Twitter
Facebook
Spotify
YouTube
Official Website
Bandcamp



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