Yannis Philippakis teams up with legendary drummer Tony Allen for new project, Yannis & The Yaw

In an electrifying fusion of talents, Yannis Philippakis of Foals has joined forces with the legendary drummer Tony Allen to form Yannis & The Yaw, launching a new creative project that has swiftly captured the attention of music aficionados worldwide. Their latest offering, the single Rain Can’t Reach Us, serves as a tantalising preview to their highly anticipated EP, Lagos Paris London, set for release on 30^th August 2024 via Transgressive Records.

Rain Can’t Reach Us emerges as a mesmerising track that showcases Allen’s masterful drumming, enveloped in a whirlwind of intensity and emotion. The song’s structure evolves from an Afrobeat-influenced loop into a powerful crescendo, culminating in an outro that echoes the themes of environmental catastrophe and the human response to it. Philippakis describes the track as feeling “like a gale blowing through your house”, highlighting Allen’s pivotal role in transforming the piece into something beyond its initial conception. Philippakis reflects on the creative process, stating, “We actually referred to Rain Can’t Reach Us as ‘The Tornado’ for a long time because it feels like a gale blowing through your house and it’s just cool to hear Tony at the heart of that. There’s a chance it could have become a Foals track, but sharing that idea with Tony made it become this other thing. I think that’s really exciting. It’s like putting in random coordinates, getting in your car and driving and not knowing where you’re going to show up. You could be led anywhere.”

The Lagos Paris London EP promises to be a compelling collection, with Rain Can’t Reach Us joining tracks such as Walk Through Fire and Under the Strikes in setting the stage for what is to be expected from this unique collaboration. The EP consists of five tracks that blend diverse musical elements, showcasing the synergy between Philippakis’s songwriting prowess and Allen’s iconic drumming style. The project not only pays homage to Allen’s legacy but also pushes the boundaries of genre, creating a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in musical tradition.

Fans of Yannis & The Yaw can look forward to the imminent live performances, where the full scope of the project’s creativity and dynamic energy will undoubtedly be on full display. As anticipation builds for the release of Lagos Paris London, listeners can already delve into the rich, immersive world of Rain Can’t Reach Us, available across all platforms. The EP is also available for pre-order/pre-save, promising an explorative journey through the collaborative genius of Yannis Philippakis and Tony Allen.

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Image: Kit Monteith

Lagos Paris London is released on 30^th August 2024. For further information or to order the album visit Yannis & The Yaw’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Rain Can’t Reach Us here: