Yawning Dog – We Review ‘Doll/Torso’ and ‘Sugar/Jar’ EPs

Hailing from Hemsworth, England, they’re called Yawning Dog and describe themselves as ‘STONER GRUNGE PUNKY MONKEYS’ – if your ears aren’t pricked, then you are the prick.

Now, usually a yawning dog is cute, something to point out to the girlfriend and say, ‘Hey, that dog is having a yawn – How fucking cute is that?… Aww’.

No. Not here.

Yawning Dog are a heavy mix of Punk and Grunge, and honestly, these guys are one of the most atmospheric bands I’ve reviewed. Their sound, whether played through headphones or speakers, will fill the room and take over your senses. The heavy riffs, shock-like drumming, lurking bass and diverse shout-vocals have all come together to create a four-piece band who are finally starting to gain the recognition they deserve.

With three EPs under their belts, several other singles, and a new music video you can see further down the article, Musically Fresh are a little late to the party. But, we have arrived, and so have these lads.

Now let’s review the two most recent EPs. First up, Doll/Torso (October 2014).

1. Doll – Fresh off their latest EP, and we kick off with ‘Doll’. A hypnotic track that spins you round and round with the repetitive riffs and typical Grunge half-singing, half shouting vocals that have been nicely reverbed to create that huge, encompassing atmosphere that Yawning Dogs achieve so well.

‘You only want what you can’t have’. Simple. It’s a track, (and a band), where the music does the talking.And it’s the lead guitar that dominates the conversation – there is a terrific solo in there!

2. Torso Dojo – Yeah. Something about a ‘torso’ and something about a ‘dojo’ – either way, this is one heavy track that highlight’s the band’s screamin’ Punk/Metal side, spliced with Grungy interludes.

It all works well together. Your heart is pumping for the distorted and shouting riffs/vocals, and then you’re given a second to catch your breath as another, more resonating vocal sings to you. Live, it must be a spectacle… alone in your bedroom? Be prepared to get angry.

From Doll/Torso, I can hear many influences in the guy’s sound – especially Deftones – the way you’re locked in from beginning to end in what feels like an audio whirlpool. I need to hear more.

Next up, let’s go back to July 2014, with Sugar/Jar.

1. Sugar – ‘You’re sickly sweet. You’re like sugar to me.’ – Firstly, I love that lyric. Again, many typical factors of Yawning Dog that I’ve mentioned feature in this track. But there is certainly a different sound to this EP than Doll/Torso.

The heavier riffs have been toned down, and in ‘Sugar’, I could really hear the band’s lyrics and vocals much more clearly. It definitely benefits the guys when taking a little more care on the vocal-side of things, because as a fan (and I am now a fan), it’s great to have those slightly more chilled out tracks you can appreciate when you’re on your jack-jones.

The 90s lead guitar also whines and dines us all the way through the track, climaxing in a lovely outro. Loved it.

2. Jar – Where the lead guitar and vocals stood out for me in ‘Sugar’, I have to give the MVP to the drums and bass. There is no let up! They count us in and ride us rhythmically all the way to the finish.

‘Jar’ is also characterised by these intermittent moments of guitar screech – reminiscent of Cobain’s ‘Yay!’/unison bends in the classic ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ – which creates a unique dynamic to the track’s pace. Like momentarily going into hyperdrive.

Overall, Sugar/Jar is another two-track EP that makes you step back and realise that Yawning Dog are churning out great solid and ridiculously talented music like Musically Fresh churns out solid and ridiculously talented reviews!

But seriously, these guys have been together for under a year, and just check out everything they’ve released and achieved! One thing is responsible for their ability to do this, and that is pure, gifted talent from all Sam, Ryan, Danny and Joe.

(That’s Yawning Dog btw, not McFly.)

Honestly, lyrically these guys never blew me away – but who gives a shit? It’s not why you get in to bands like Yawning Dog. Like I said before, these tracks were written to display the incredible talent of each of the four band members – and it’s achieved.

What I love about Grunge music is the way two contrasting tones of music are played and sewn together seamlessly. And the result is music that feels so much bigger and grander than whatever went into it,  and Yawning Dog accomplish this so effortlessly and somewhat uniquely. hearing their music, I truly believe, on any size stage, these guys can deliver a fucking epic gig.

So, like, follow, subscribe and buy in to these guys, because within a few years, they will be big will have heard of them. Here’s the details:

• Facebook – Yawning Dog
• Twitter – @Yawning_Dog
• Soundcloud – Yawning Dog
• Bandcamp – Yawning Dog

And, as promised, check out this music video to ‘I’ve Only Got One Ghost’: