Track listing: Origin, Sky Blue, YOYO, Bang Away, Time Travel, Changes, Home Bestie, Never Say Goodbye, Double Trouble, Keychain, Shooting Star, Mud-Stained Boots, Sparkling, Hello Sunshine
Not very often does a young artist come along who shakes up the music community the way that teenaged drumming phenom Yoyoka has done. In Yoyoka's 'Introduction' video, she receives praise from Robert Plant. Deep Purple's own Ian Paice likens her style to that of Led Zeppelin powerhouse legendary drummer John Bonham. But Yoyoka isn't just a rocker by any stretch of the imagination.
In trying to assign a genre to Yoyoka as an artist, or put a style to her new album For Teen, it's a tough task. There's jazz for sure. But there's also electronic aspects happening, some pretty heavy rock passages. I mean, is "badass prodigy" even a musical category?
What you end up with as you listen to For Teen is a collection of 14 (see what they did there?) songs by a 14-year-old drummer (polysemous naming, thrice over) is simply an impressive album. There are a number of guest contributors on the record who lend their own collection of talents but onstage front and center is the undeniable skill and natural musicality of a talented young percussionist. Yoyoka demonstrates versatility to play seamlessly across genres--a funky Pop track like "Time Travel," the mellow RnB ditty "Keychain," and the insanely impressive drum/piano duet "Changes" with 12-year-old Ai Furusato (check out the "Changes" video to see it for yourself).
"Shooting Star" channels some hefty Bruno Mars vibes (are you reading this, Bruno?!). But perhaps the most impressive aspect of For Teen is that the album doesn't overly center on Yoyoka's drumming chops. For a majority of the album's closer "Hello Sunshine" you soak in Yoyoka's patience of playing to the song instead of just showing off. Yes, she does dazzle a bit toward the end but what are ya gonna do? It's her album, she can do what she wants!
What your task now is should be to visit Yoyoka's artist page and click through to each of her streaming and social platforms. What she has accomplished up through now is already impressive. But what you're going to want to be aware of is where she goes from here. There's a high ceiling for Yoyoka in her music career. And if what she's done through her first 14 years is any indication, we're barely out of the starting gates for the marathon of Yoyoka's career that lies ahead.