Given that there are a lot of female singer-songwriters these days, a lazy critic might be tempted to lump Nana Yamato in with such acts. Someone with better sense would, rightly, peg her new record as the rightful heir to the sort of bedsit DIY indie made by East River Pipe and Badly Drawn Boy in decades past. Before Sunrise, out today via Dull Tools, is clever and low-key brilliant.
The cuts here percolate and subtly unfurl atop clattering rhythms ("Burning Desire") or spry guitar-hooks ("Fantasy"). Signed by A. Savage of Parquet Courts, Nana Yamato has a knack for making something so ephemeral seem so significant. Fans of acts as disparate as Young Marble Giants and Grandaddy might find things here that seem on a similar wavelength, though with a different sound, but it's worth approaching this one without too many preconceptions and let yourself be charmed.
While the melodies sort of sneak up on you here, most of Before Sunrise is very accessible, despite the lo-fi vibe of the whole enterprise. And while the title cut sounds to me like early Everything But the Girl, I'm sure others will hear something different here. Nana Yamato has a good ear for a simple hook, and even the most basic number here sails forward with confidence. Before Sunrise is one of the most pleasant surprises for this listener of 2021 so far.
Before Sunrise is out today via Dull Tools.
[Photo: Nana Yamato]