Meanjin-based indie-pop darling Yb. is releasing his Mixtape, ‘Bulletproof’ on Fri, 24 Nov.
‘Bulletproof’ is Yb.’s eclectic collection and final offering of songs for 2023, including two stellar singles Rollercoaster and Tell Me What The Cost Is released earlier this year, all of which received consistent support across triple j, and Spotify and Apple playlisting. The Mixtape saw Yb. join forces with the likes of Pat Byrne (Beso Palma), Tom Eggert, Charlie Hole (Thomas Porter), OSWRLD, Lola Scott, Lora and Peking Duk.
The previous singles from ‘Bulletproof’ Mixtape have seen Yb. has consistently swerve genres and expectations – from introspective and cruisey indie-pop to adrenaline filled, thumping electro gems. While Tell Me What The Cost Is (currently on triple j rotation) is a surge of pure adrenaline; a thumping, up-tempo electro-pop song that turns the whole premise of love on its head Rollercoaster is full of laid back indie lament, drenched in synth and dreamy guitars, a mosaic of melodic hooks and clever lyrical wordplay. Yb. speaks to the anti-concept-concept behind the body of work: “Bulletproof is an anti-concept Mixtape, and a bit of an FU to unwanted opinions and perceptions. In the past, I’ve talked about my over-confident, cocky alter ego, who emerges after a period of pain or sadness. Bulletproof encapsulates that, and the fearlessness I feel in this moment – it’s a collection of songs that don’t need to be connected by a throughline, and it’s a reminder to myself to only release music that feeds me.”
Yb. continues, reflecting on the title track itself, produced by Peking Duk: “Rueben and Adam (Peking Duk) had so much energy between the two of them which made it easy to break past the initial anxiety of recording and singing in front of new people. I couldn’t get the hook and the word bulletproof out of my mind, and I was so happy with the way it was sounding that the versus came really naturally after that. Diving deeper into the versus, the idea of optimism, confidence and surrender were the three main motifs I drew from. I think there is something extremely beautiful about surrendering to the feeling of loving someone and declaring it proudly. “When I’m with you I feel bulletproof” was the blueprint and we made it happen! I genuinely believe that this song is one of the best songs I’ve ever written to date.”
Yb. took 2023 by storm after winning two QMA’s, including Emerging Artist of the Year presented by triple j Unearthed. His 2023 singles were playlisted across Spotify‘s New Music Friday AU/NZ and Indie Arrivals as well as Apple Music’s New Music Daily and Wildflower and more. He recently played at the Gold Coast’s SPRINGTIME Festival, Yours and Owls Festival, SXSW Sydney and Someday Soon Festival. Yb. will be performing a headline show at The Brightside in his hometown Brisbane in December. He has also received consistent support from tastemakers Purple Sneakers, Acid Stag, The Music, Milky and more.
Last year was huge for Yb. with the release of his debut EP ‘Blackphemy’, sold out headline shows and support spots for Allday, Biig Piig, Golden Vessel and San Cisco. Yb. performed at Groovin’ The Moo, multiple BIGSOUND showcases, has become a regular across triple j with a swag of first plays and rotation ads. Along with Apple TV and Spotify syncs, he was made the cover of Front Left, and placed at the top of playlists New Music Friday America, POLLEN, All New Indie + many, many more.
AU HEADLINE SHOW
Fri, 1 Dec – The Brightside, Brisbane
With thanks to Gyrostream
