yoke lore doubles down on feelings in 'bravado' and 'body parts'
By Amy Tang
Diving into his deepest thoughts, Adrian Galvin, known as Yoke Lore, explores the meaning of loving and “trusting your gut” despite all the noises in the world in his latest releases “Bravado” and “Body Parts”.
Having recently wrapped up his first headlining tour — joined by supporting acts Bad Bad Hats, EXES, Future Generations, and Runner — Galvin returned with invigorating A/B singles “Bravado”/”Body Parts” before accompanying Bishop Briggs on tour in Europe in December. Notable for incorporating elements of folk and alternative/indie pop, the New York native doesn’t shy away from serenading listeners with his trusty banjo, thought-invoking verses, and mesmerizing vocals.
First, we ease into “Bravado”, where Galvin reveals the deeper aspects and sentiments of being in a relationship and allowing vulnerability and imperfections to seep through the cracks. According to the singer, the track is about “being comfortable with letting someone see your failures and you accepting someone else's.” Intertwined with gentle piano chords, synthesizer, and the familiar twang of the banjo, Galvin softly sings, “I want to build my house inside your heart / And make you love your scars,” reinventing an anthem for hopeless romantics. The steady pounding of the drums compliments his soaring harmonies, showcasing the range of his artistry. There’s no doubt in my mind that listeners are bound to hit replay on this heartfelt song.
“Body Parts,” however, hits us with a different story. The opening lyric, “Do my eyes see enough can they spot my enemies,” is another journey through Galvin’s restless mind. That internal gut feeling is hard to shake off and sometimes it feels like common sense to follow that instinct because we want to believe that we know what’s best for ourselves. But it all comes easier said than done. Each verse is cleverly-written and his tender lyricism is a stab at the cacophony surrounding the world, mirroring the complex instrumentals in this track as Galvin is only able to find clarity through the guidance of his own voice.
Each track displays Yoke Lore’s range of emotions and his passion for music is evident in both tracks. His originality and sound are everlasting and adds an ambitious touch to the pop genre, creating new boundaries for what it means to be an artist today.