Yannis Philippakis, the frontman of the British rock band Foals, has ventured into new territory with his debut EP under the moniker Yannis & The Yaw titled Lagos Paris London. Released by Transgressive Records, the EP features five tracks and shines a light on the collaboration with late Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen, who passed away in April 2020. The project stems from unfinished recording sessions between Philippakis and Allen that were hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic and Allen’s subsequent death.
Lagos Paris London encapsulates a blend of catchy melodies and vigorous guitar work reminiscent of Foals, intertwined with Allen's distinctive drumming style. The EP opens with the standout track, "Walk Through Fire," characterized by its soaring guitar riffs and poignant lyrics like, "You stand your ground with the powers that be. Don't flee under fire for all to see."
Another notable track, "Rain Can't Reach Us," adopts a more haunting tone, with lyrics that reflect on mortality and the power of collaboration. Philippakis remarked on the song, describing it as possessing a "gale blowing through your house" feeling, showcasing that it could have easily transformed into a Foals track had he not shared the idea with Allen, leading it to evolve into something entirely unique.
Discussing the EP’s significance, Philippakis noted, "Making music with somebody, and then death happening... it's been an important experience for me." He emphasized the importance of cherishing meaningful musical encounters, especially those that result in lasting art.
Yannis & The Yaw are set to kick off a tour with performances scheduled in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom. The current lineup for the project includes Vincent Taurelle (keys), Vincent Taeger (drums), Dave Okumu (guitar), Seye Adelekan (bass), and Kit Monteith (percussion). The full list of tour dates is available on Yannis & The Yaw's official site.
The EP Lagos Paris London is now available in various formats including vinyl, CD, and streaming. For more about the release and the tour, visit the Transgressive Records page.