★★★★
Rebel Yell is the brainchild of industrial noise artist Grace Stevenson.
The Brisbane musician also plays in 100%, an underground electronic act from Queensland’s capital, and though things are less accessible under her solo guise, they’re certainly no less interesting.
The imagery on Mother Of Millions is bleak, offering a dystopian future with no end, though after one gets past the initial bleakness they will rapidly discover plenty of rewards to be found. To get caught up in the swirl of these soundscapes is a treat in itself, and these harsh tones provide the perfect soundtrack for those with a curious disposition. Though Mother is a celebral experience for the majority of its duration, Stevenson knows how to handle a melody, no matter how harsh it might be, and it quickly becomes evident that as far as she is concerned, minimalism is key.
This is the power of Rebel Yell: it’s not an act as much as it is an exploration of noise, a challenging experience that some will find difficult to swallow. Nonetheless, this seems unlikely to trouble Stevenson, given she’s evidently not making music for the masses. Mother Of Millions is a reflection of her own artistic vision, grand in scope and rich in theme.
Rebel Yell’sMother Of Millionsis available now on Rice Is Nice.
