Score: 6.5/10
2007 seems to be a promising year for Youmetheswitch, having already played alongside the likes of Vessels, They Don’t Sleep, and the ever-changing collective that are Thee Single Spies. Plus, with a September date supporting LITE, the quartet have quickly become relatively well known. This in itself isn’t exactly a mean feat, but with the band having only really released what they’re calling an EP/Demo and now more recently an as yet untitled 7", YMTS have quickly but quietly carved their name onto the angular tree that is math rock.
The 7" contains three tracks, none of which are past the three-minute mark. Although this release isn’t as meaty as say, early Battles, the effort does contain an aurally pleasant mix of songs that combine The Mercury Program’s principles of music making with hints of Do Make Say Think's jazz. Interestingly, elements of what the band call "the chaotic end of US hardcore" do slip in occasionally, but not enough to warrant any real similarities between YMTS and heavier bands such as Russian Circles.
Opening track, "Forest Sleeper" is a short and playful piece, where the group’s DMST style is at its peak. The second piece, "Heisei Boom," starts off brash but soon reverts to a more peaceful set of guitar riffs. Within this composition there’s slight use of strings, however the instrumentation is completely clouded over by the much louder guitars, so much so that it’s a pointless exercise to even bother including them. However, "Mexico City is Sinking" is possibly the best of the three and perhaps the most memorable. For this track, the quartet let their time signature tightened hair down, "Mexico City..." is still a relatively restrained affair, but there’s hints within the piece that suggest YMTS could be capable of writing a spasmodic masterpiece someday soon. Again, we’re not talking levels of craziness that could give Battles a run for their money, but hopefully YMTS will, in the foreseeable future, step up and deliver a British (so quintessentially, calmer) version of those New York nasties.
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