Battles - The Yabba

Thought you knew Battles? Well, they’ve gone completely vocal-free, named their new album ‘La Di Da Di’ and streamed their first new track in four years, entitled ‘The Yabba’. In an album which is unlikely to present a lead single, introducing the new era of Battles with the album opener seems fitting, and its seven minutes open up an endless pit of possibilities.

‘The Yabba’ violently switches between amicable flutes and brass to itchy, restless synths - sometimes piling both onto each other - creating something close to the sonic equivalent of ‘La Di Da Di”s artwork. As an introduction to the album, and as a tool to drum up excitement, ‘The Yabba’ couldn’t do more. While it gives no certainty at all about the direction the rest of the album might take, it sure as hell won’t be dull.