Yungatita - Shoelace & A Knot
We are officially six months into 2024, and the year has already produced a number of incredible releases. I’m honoring 2024’s musical blessings and looking at a record released just five months ago (exactly).
Shoelace & A Knot (January 3, 2024)
Yungatita - Shoelace & A Knot
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, today’s record features the non-stop creative force Valentina Zapata, better known as Yungatita. Although Zapata is the singer/songwriter, visual artist, and main producer behind Yungatita, they tour and record with the same band, exuding a group-like dynamic to every recording and live show. Most famous for their hit songs “7 Weeks & 3 Days” and “Indie Dream Boy,” today we scratch that out to look at their debut album.
Releasing just three days into the new year, the record has already cemented itself as one of my personal favorites. Independently released, Shoelace & A Knot consists of 10 tracks running at about 35 minutes. With songs discussing love, mental health, and personal battles, the album is full of colorful and bright yet grungy instrumentals. Pairing with Zapata’s lyrics and vocal abilities, the contrast between instrumental parts creates that classic Yungatita sound. Synth lines ooze with dreaminess and bubblyness in addition to the sweetness Zapata’s voice holds. Simultaneously, the darkness and heaviness of each guitar and drum part smoothly blend with the raspy nature of Zapata’s voice. The classic Yungatita sound lives somewhere in the realm of a bright dream that can turn dark at any moment and vice versa. Their debut album dives deeper into the alternative rock genre, departing slightly from their well-known indie-pop/rock sound. Through this, the record becomes just as expressive as its lyrics and artwork.
From start to finish, this record shares a deeper look into Valentina Zapata's life and serves as a means to get anything lingering off their chest. In an Audiotree Live session recorded last year, Zapata explains that specific lyrics and songs discuss their mental health and personal battles. Specifically, the song “Armchair” discusses Zapata’s emotions while handcuffed to an armchair during a 5150. “Crack of Your Jaw,” “Reckless” and “Pack It Up” also discuss the side effects of struggling with your mental health and relationship issues. All four songs explore both topics in a way that shows the ability to feel wronged by someone or something while also recognizing your part in the situation. The album conveys this message of being knocked down but having the strength to get back up and keep going. The first track, “Poppy” and the second to last track, “Whiplash” exude this feeling best. “Poppy” starts the album just like its name…poppy. Bright synth lines and repeated lyrics of, “If not forever, for a moment,” fill the song's entire 2-minute and 11-second duration. Almost like a personal mantra, the lyrics speak to having the ability to live in the moment, free of stress and anxiety. “Whiplash” similarly discusses this topic, but the lyrics detail falling in love with someone who is deserving of this love. “Whiplash” was released as the final single for this album, speaking to the song’s ability to capture Shoelace & A Knot’s entire meaning into one track. Zapata sings in the first verse about how they had closed themself off to love, but one person came along and changed their entire perspective. They further explain there is no issue if the feeling is unrequited because the experience has given them a new perspective on love and life.
Essential Tracks
From seeing Yungatita live a few weeks back to having their debut album constantly on repeat driving to work, this is an artist you definitely do not want to miss out on. Shoelace & A Knot showcases Zapata and their “band” mates' full potential, and I am excited to see what is next. I recommend listening to this album in totality, but if you are short on time, check out these key tracks.