Album Review: Lagos Paris London [EP] by Yannis & the Yaw

Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis and the late Afrobeat legend Tony Allen join forces for a compelling travelogue that suggests a fascinating meeting of musical minds The roots of the intriguing quintet of tracks that make up Lagos Paris London date back to 2016, when Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis met legendary Nigerian drummer Tony Allen. The two became friends, and sessions ensued in a Parisian studio not only with Allen but with his band - percussionist Vincent Taeger, keyboard player Vincent Taurelle and bassist/guitarist Ludovic Bruni. Left unfinished when lockdown arrived, the sessions were brought to a tragic full stop in the form of Allen's passing in April 2020.

Full Review >>

When Yannis Phillippakis, best known for being the frontman of Foals, was invited to meet the iconic Tony Allen (who passed in 2020) he wasn't entirely sure why he was going to the smoke-filled studio Paris. In a recent interview with Clash , Yannis spoke about not knowing the purpose of the visit, but being a huge fan and being eager to work with Tony. He wasn't sure if he was going to sing on some tracks or if there was something else in store for him, so he packed his guitar and a loop pedal and off he went.

Full Review >>

Consisting of five songs built around some of the last music the late Tony Allen worked on, that 'Lagos Paris London' is somewhat scrapbook-like in nature should come as little surprise. Neither too, should the fact that the majority bear more than a passing resemblance to The Yaw's titular Yannis' agitator: beyond the obvious familiar vocal, there's those mathy guitar lines (opener 'Walk Through Fire'), soaring subtlety ('Rain Can't Reach Us') and tension (closer 'Clementine' makes a case for being Sunday Afternoon Foals, so close is it in style, if not delivery). So it's in the less expected that 'Lagos Paris London' offers most; the sheer softness of 'Under The Strikes' displays a vocal turn that in other contexts may prove completely unrecognisable; and in particular the introspective, sparse yet groove-laden 'Night Green, Heavy Love', on which a staccato bassline contrasts with Yannis' high-pitched vocal to create a wholly disorienting mood.

Full Review >>

Rhythm has always been a key element in Foals dance-y, shout-y, rave-y post-punk, a mix of ebullience and strife which has sometimes shaded into south hemisphere funk. So it's not surprising that singer Yannis Philippakis might have dived deep into a Fela Kuti rabbit hole while recording 2010's Total Life Forever, or that he rightly identified master drummer Tony Allen as an important source of that artist's appeal. Yet while many of us get lost in our records and develop complicated parasocial relationships with artists we'll never meet, Philippakis was able to act on his obsession.

Full Review >>