Soft Yes, the NYC art-rock quartet whose ethos is as enigmatic as their sound, strikes again with “Odd Numbers,” released October 16, 2024. Known for twisting the familiar into something wholly unpredictable, Soft Yes weaves together elements of post-punk and art rock, crafting a track that captures the essence of New York’s jittery energy in under 2 minutes.
The band’s influences—nods to the “NYC sound” of the early ’00s and a self-proclaimed fascination with America as an “endless well” of inspiration—come through in a way that feels organic rather than retro. The track leads with a deeply hypnotic bassline, and here, bass isn’t just a backbone—it’s the entire anatomy. Echoing their ambition to make the bass the priority and let the lyrics slip into the background, the track exudes an offhand coolness as vocals float above the driven, intertwined rhythms of guitars. With an intro, multiple verses, and a surprisingly distinct chorus packed into a lean time frame, “Odd Numbers” echoes Soft Yes’ belief in brevity. Every second feels essential, never weighed down by the excess that often plagues longer tracks. Zero waste.
Inspired by America’s vast landscape and NYC’s frenetic pace, the band captures these experiences without overselling the lyrical content. It’s a song that thrives on raw energy, conveying just enough to feel substantial without overloading listeners. Soft Yes has already garnered positive early reactions from fans and friends, with “Odd Numbers” receiving a particularly warm response after a teaser video surfaced on social media. Now, with a debut album in the works and an intimate album-listening party on the horizon, this band is on the verge of something bigger.
For those drawn to music that challenges convention while embodying New York’s edge, Soft Yes is worth keeping on your radar.
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