The War Yaks – Bifurcate

The War Yaks – Bifurcate

The War Yaks, an odd name for a band, but perhaps suits their idiosyncratic musical personality. They are headed by Nat Rusciani, who sings, plays keyboards and writes the songs, closely aided by saxophonist Anthony Warga. Much of the music is dominated by the pair, as it swerves around between jazzy prog, perhaps reminiscent of Thank You Scientist, and something more akin to Van Der Graaf Generator. Certainly Rusciani’s lyrics are full of Hammill style self analysis and broken relationship reflections, even when some of the musical backdrop is bright and breezy, but there are definitely darker moments, and heavier passages, so something for everyone? Maybe.

Opening track Codriver starts innocently enough, Warga’s sax and Kristina Bacich on flute weaving jazzy lines over Rusciani’s piano, whilst she muses on her current relationship.

‘I promised I would never take for granted
a single hour of our life you’ve enchanted.
It’s trivial and true.’

The affected vocal style can be hard to follow at times, but the voice is silky smooth. The backing is beefed up when Esteban Mercado’s distorted guitar gets involved, underpinned by the bass (Jesse Shaw), and the song comes to life. The War Yaks sound confident and comfortable, so a good start. The Lengths takes a rather more ominous tone, as a (presumably) previous toxic relationship is dissected. The complicated melody swoops and soars as Rusciani confronts her demons, particularly the difficulty in leaving a damaging relationship.

‘The lengths I’d go to taste your poison are scaring me.
It’s not something I have a choice in. The demons are staring me down.’

Mercado’s guitar is more prominent on this piece, underpinning the shifting theme as sax flourishes sound alarm bells. The tension is wound up to an angry and defiant climax, with heavy guitar chords over which Nat rails at the subject of the song.

Shroom Song is possibly the weirdest, most ambitious song on Bifurcate. It’s abstract structure, discordant melody and strange lyrics are both baffling and beautiful. It has operatic style singing one moment, then we shift to Opeth style distorted guitar and even some brief growly vocals as the fungi which are the basis of the song threaten to take over the world!

‘You may not see us, but we abound.
We have always been here.
Peer down and you will find us near.’

It’s brilliantly bonkers, Rusciani just slightly unhinged, but holding it together somehow. Or is she? The whole album sounds like a series of intense psychotherapy sessions, and in a way, it makes for an overwhelming listen at times. There is more than a spark of something special here too though. Whatever her mental issues and experiences she is working through, she has managed to use the trauma as a release for so much creativity it’s quite extraordinary. Her voice has an unbelievable range, and her imagination knows no bounds.

From here in, each song seems to get more personal and cathartic, and more angst filled and edgy. Footprints is a fine example. It smoulders with tension, before Rusciani emits a shrill scream, and the rollercoaster has begun. Flute, sax and bass play an insistent tattoo and guitar weaves an intricate theme, until the whole band work up to a frenzy of passion.

Regression To The Mean continues in similar vein. Someone has seriously upset Ms Rusciani at some point, and I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes!

One can discern odd flashes of Crimson style tension and angular guitar, but to be honest, The War Yaks don’t really sound like anyone but themselves. Their fearless approach might well be an acquired taste for some, but I applaud their bold self belief. The only thing I would say, is that a real drummer would be a very welcome addition. The programmed percussion is ok much of the time, but the heavier, more frantic moments would be so much more convincing with live drums. Apart from that, this is a really good debut, as uncompromising as they come. They just demand to be heard, and I have no hesitation in recommending Bifurcate to anyone who isn’t feeling too fragile!

TRACK LISTING
01. Codriver (6:01)
02. The Lengths (6:54)
03. Shroom Song (6:08)
04. Quiet Omens (7:39)
05. Train (7:42)
06. Footprints (5:33)
07. Regression To The Mean (5:45)
08. Bifurcate (7:52)

Total Time – 53:32

MUSICIANS
Nat Rusciani – Vocals, Keyboards, Production
Anthony Warga – Saxophone
Esteban Mercado – Guitar
Jesse Shaw – Bass
Kristina Bacich – Flute

ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: USA
Date of Release: 1st August 2024

LINKS
The War Yaks – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X