When I first encountered the music of Yo La Tengo, sometime in the first half of the 00s, they were already had a reputation of one of the most original and most interesting bands on the music scene. Sometime in that period, I have heard about the theory of parallel universes. My theoretical knowledge of physics is reduced to what I have absorbed in high school, which can help in accepting the multiverse theory, but it is far from contributing to the advancement of physics as a science, lol.
Now, Yo La Tengo and parallel universes have nothing in common besides the fact that I believe they are equally cool in each one of them. Why did I even mention multiverse? Because I wanted to convey my belief that music has its parallel universes, with each of them representing a genre or a certain sonic direction. My impression is that Yo La Tengo deserve the whole new universe for themselves. This impression is strengthened now once again, when their 15th album came out. It is titled There's A Riot Goin' On. The album has the same name as 1971 record by Sly and The Family Stone. Their music has almost nothing in common with Sly and The Family Stone, meaning, the title is more of a reaction to what's happening today and analysis of how is it similar to the transition from the 60s to the 70s.
Yo La Tengo are perfectly aware of the music trends around them, but they still create something that is authentic, idiosyncratic and fresh. There's A Riot Going On could be described as nocturnal album, as it is dreamy since the very first track You Are Here. Yet, the album is a walk through various genres and music influences. Shades Of Blue is inspired by 60s pop with the era being perfectly congruent with George Hubly's oniric vocal. She May, She Might continues in a similar tone, only with Ira Kaplan's vocal.
Shoegaze guitars, motoric rhythm and pulsating base make For You Too an ideal soundtrack for daydreaming. Feel free to continue dreaming with Polynesia #1 and bossa-nova fused Esportes Casual. In Dream Dream Away, Yo La Tengo play with psychedelic elements, while Out Of The Pool brings unique amalgam of funk and shoegaze.
Yo La Tengo are a spiral galaxy, and There's A Riot Going On is just one of their numerous suns.
