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YAMA UBA's ‘Silhouettes’ is a strong debut album that captures the shifting perspectives of its five-year writing period, and the emergence of Yama Uba’s uniquely crafted sound. With Akiko Sampson's charismatic vocals and rumbling bass combined with Winter Zora's sweeping guitar and saxophone soaring over velvet synthesizers and synthpop beats, Yama Uba makes several nods to their post-punk and darkwave predecessors while creating a sound entirely their own. Throughout each track, Yama Uba emerges as a songwriting unit capable of capturing the complexities of the human spirit, as fragile as it is powerful, as it experiences its own evolution. States Sampson, ‘‘As a whole, 'Silhouettes’ is about personal transformation and self-discovery, and is a reckoning with the power of time"

Split release with Psychic Eye Records 

 

Akiko Sampson: Vocals, bass, synthesizers, drum programming

Winter Zora: Vocals, guitar, saxophone

Additional percussion on “Disappear,” “Shapes,” “Facade,” “Isolation,” “Laura,” “Claustrophobia” by Charlie Vela

Additional percussion on “Shatter” by Michael Daddona

All songs written by Akiko Sampson and Winter Zora except “I’m in Love With a German Film Star,” by B. Gogan, C. Timperley, D. Aagar, R. Williams

Yama Uba is the darkwave/post-punk project of Akiko Sampson (Ötzi/Psychic Eye Records). With expansive vocals, explosive bass guitar and heavily layered synths over synthpop and industrial beats, Yama Uba’s sound and live performances have captivated audiences across the United States, Mexico and Europe. Their upcoming album, Silhouettes, will be released in October, 2023 on Psychic Eye/Ratskin Records.   

Since 2017, Akiko Sampson has shared stages as Yama Uba (or in their previous project, Ötzi) with darkwave, post-punk and punk luminaries such as The Chameleons, Pink Turns Blue, She Past Away, Light Asylum, and Twin Tribes, amongst many others.   

On October 14, 2023, Yama Uba will perform live in Tokyo, playing with the Japanese deathrock legends Phaidia, followed by a tour of other cities in Japan.   

 

yamaubamusic.com

 

Silhouettes

Yama Uba

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SILHOUETTES SPECIAL EDITION 1 of 3 VINYL. BUNDLE - Silhouettes Album Cover Origami & Embroidery Collage on Canvas 12x12 in Collage, framed Download

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SILHOUETTES SPECIAL EDITION 1 of 5 VINYL BUNDLE w/ 4 x 6'' Handmade Patch, Signed LP, 8x11 Photo, Sticker Pack Download

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Vinyl Download

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CD Download

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SILHOUETTES SPECIAL EDITION 1 of 1 VINYL BUNDLE w/ Sigil Sashiko Hand Embroidered 12x12 in Back patch Download

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‘Silhouettes’ is a strong debut album that captures the shifting perspectives of its five-year writing period, and the emergence of Yama Uba’s uniquely crafted sound. With Akiko Sampson's charismatic vocals and rumbling bass combined with Winter Zora's sweeping guitar and saxophone soaring over velvet synthesizers and synthpop beats, Yama Uba

‘Silhouettes’ is a strong debut album that captures the shifting perspectives of its five-year writing period, and the emergence of Yama Uba’s uniquely crafted sound. With Akiko Sampson's charismatic vocals and rumbling bass combined with Winter Zora's sweeping guitar and saxophone soaring over velvet synthesizers and synthpop beats, Yama Uba makes several nods to their post-punk and darkwave predecessors while creating a sound entirely their own. Throughout each track, Yama Uba emerges as a songwriting unit able to capture the complexities of the human spirit, as fragile as it is powerful, as it experiences its own evolution. States Sampson, ‘‘As a whole, 'Silhouettes’ is about personal transformation and self-discovery, and is a reckoning with the power of time.” credits releases January 24, 2024

Akiko Sampson: Vocals, bass, synthesizers, drum programming Winter Zora: Vocals, guitar, saxophone Additional percussion on “Disappear,” “Shapes,” “Facade,” “Isolation,” “Laura,” “Claustrophobia” by Charlie Vela Additional percussion on “Shatter” by Michael Daddona

All songs written by Akiko Sampson and Winter Zora except “I’m in Love With a German Film Star,” by B. Gogan, C. Timperley, D. Aagar, R. Williams

Lyrics for all songs by Akiko Sampson except “Claustrophobia” by Akiko Sampson and Winter Zora, “Isolation” by Winter Zora, and “I'm in Love With a German Film Star” by Barbara Gogan

All songs recorded by Akiko Sampson at Psychic Rat Studios except “I’m in Love With a German Film Star” and “Angel,” recorded by Michael Daddona at Zoo Labs Studios Mixed by Charlie Vera Mastered by Daniel Husayn Produced by Akiko Sampson

Album front and back covers designed by Pearl Thompson Album interior designed by Akiko Sampson Photos by Michael Daddona

©2023 Yama Uba Psychic Eye Records 2023 Ratskin Records 2023

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  1. 1
    Disappear 4:31
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    Shapes 3:32
    In cart Not available Out of stock
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  3. 3
    Shatter 2:57
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    Facade 3:48
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  5. 5
    I'm in Love With a German Film Star 3:56
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    Isolation 3:45
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    Laura 4:13
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  8. 8
    Claustrophobia 3:14
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  9. 9
    Angel 5:30
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Silhouettes

Yama Uba

Buy album
‘Silhouettes’ is a strong debut album that captures the shifting perspectives of its five-year writing period, and the emergence of Yama Uba’s uniquely crafted sound. With Akiko Sampson's charismatic vocals and rumbling bass combined with Winter Zora's sweeping guitar and saxophone soaring over velvet synthesizers and synthpop beats, Yama Uba
‘Silhouettes’ is a strong debut album that captures the shifting perspectives of its five-year writing period, and the emergence of Yama Uba’s uniquely crafted sound. With Akiko Sampson's charismatic vocals and rumbling bass combined with Winter Zora's sweeping guitar and saxophone soaring over velvet synthesizers and synthpop beats, Yama Uba makes several nods to their post-punk and darkwave predecessors while creating a sound entirely their own. Throughout each track, Yama Uba emerges as a songwriting unit able to capture the complexities of the human spirit, as fragile as it is powerful, as it experiences its own evolution. States Sampson, ‘‘As a whole, 'Silhouettes’ is about personal transformation and self-discovery, and is a reckoning with the power of time.”
Read more…
0:00/???
  1. 1
    Disappear 4:31
    0:00/4:31
  2. 2
    Shapes 3:32
    0:00/3:32
  3. 3
    Shatter 2:57
    0:00/2:57
  4. 4
    Facade 3:48
    0:00/3:48
  5. 5
    I'm in Love With a German Film Star 3:56
    0:00/3:56
  6. 6
    Isolation 3:45
    0:00/3:45
  7. 7
    Laura 4:13
    0:00/4:13
  8. 8
    Claustrophobia 3:14
    0:00/3:14
  9. 9
    Angel 5:30
    0:00/5:30

Artwork & Layout : Pearl Thompson (The Cure) 

Artwork & Layout : Pearl Thompson (The Cure) 

Design Elements: 

yama uba / silhouettes press

YAMA UBA "Silhouettes" feature in CVLT NATION  - Feb 2024 

YAMA UBA "Silhouettes" feature in POST PUNK MONK  - Feb 2024 

YAMA UBA "Silhouettes" interview  in START-TRACK - Feb 2024 

YAMA UBA "Silhouettes" Review in CVLT NATION  - Feb 2024 

YAMA UBA "Silhouettes" Review in TEMPELORES MAGAZINE -Jan 2024 

YAMA UBA "Silhouettes" feature in STEREO EMBERS MAGAZINE - Feb 2024 

YAMA UBA "Silhouettes" feature in MY VINYL OFFERING - Feb 2024 

YAMA UBA "Silhouettes" Review in ROSY OVERDRIVE - Feb 2024 

YAMA UBA "Silhouettes" Review in ROSY OVERDRIVE - Feb 2024 

YAMA UBA “Silhouettes” Review in FIGHTING BOREDOM - March 2024 

YAMA UBA “Silhouettes” Review in HEAVY BLOG IS HEAVY  - March 2024 

 

YAMA UBA “Shapes” Premiere In Echoes and Dust Magazine - November 2023 

https://echoesanddust.com/2023/11/exclusive-track-premiere-yama-uba-shapes/

"Yama Uba, the Oakland darkwave/post-punk project founded by Akiko Sampson (Ötzi) with collaboration by Winter Zora (Ötzi, Mystic Priestess) will release their debut full-length, Silhouettes, on 16 January 2024.Yama Uba was formed in 2017 by Sampson, who was joined by Zora in 2020. The duo’s musical collaborations have been extensive over the past decade. Yama Uba released the EP, Laura/Isolation, and toured the United States in 2022 and Japan in October 2023. Yama Uba plans to tour the United States and Europe in 2024.

With evocative and charismatic vocals from both Sampson and Zora, the debut full-length Silhouettes, was five years in the making. Combining the infectious sounds of sweeping guitar, rumbling bass, soaring saxophone and velvet synthesizers over synthpop beats, Yama Uba makes several nods to their post-punk and darkwave predecessors, yet creates a sound entirely their own."

 

YAMA UBA “Shatter” REMIX  Premiere In POST-PUNK.COM Magazine - Sept 2023 

https://post-punk.com/darkwave-project-yama-uba-debuts-cult-of-alia-remix-of-shatter/

In a world awash with ephemeral illusions and deep-seated regrets, the lyrics of ‘Shatter‘ probe the delicate balance of human fragility and resilience. Shattered glass and flowing sand paint a vivid picture of time’s relentless march, while references to porcelain skin reveal an inherent vulnerability. Faced with the deception of ego and a longing for true connection, one might recoil from the sting of malicious intent. Yet, buoyed by an unwavering spirit, there’s a rise above the empty jeers and taunts. Beyond its dance floor allure, ‘Shatter‘ offers a profound meditation on our shared humanity, marked by a resolute defiance against breaking under pressure.


 

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Photo: Sasha Kelley

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