Decision Tree is the newest EP from Canadian musician, singer, and producer Yves Jarvis. This project serves as a small sampler of several tracks on his up-and-coming record All Cylinders slated to release at the end of February. This record marks his 5th under his current moniker and features genre bending sounds and compositions akin to other indie acts like Benjamin Booker who I featured in my last review.
The project kicks off with “Decision Tree” and its delightfully bouncy and variegated composition. I find the syncopated electric guitar riffs and basslines on this track absolute ear candy. They feel incredibly fresh and catchy, giving the track a lightheartedness while not overstaying their welcome. The vocal performance feels incredibly earnest and lighthearted as well, discussing themes of navigating possibilities while remaining true to one’s-self. Overall, this track feels incredibly cohesive and well put-together with beautiful vocals, instrumentals, and productions making it a powerful opener for the rest of the project.
Continuing with the lighthearted instrumentation and production from the previous track, “All Cylinders” follows. There’s a notable acoustic shift that occurs from the previous track with the indie-rock electric guitar being replaced by a soft acoustic guitar and gentle keys while keeping the rich bassline. I find the vocal performance in this track its main appeal, however. Jarvis really demonstrates his vocal range and versatility here with shifting vocal cadences and tempos. Coupled with beautiful harmonizations and catchy hooks, this track makes for an easy-listen.
Leaning more heavily into his R&B influences, “Gold Filigree” proceeds. Instrumentally, this track feels a bit more stripped back with soft electronic drums and deep keys and basslines doing most of the heavy lifting. Midway through the track, however, there’s a brief instrumental break with incredibly rich electric guitar riffs that I find stunning. Jarvis’s intense vocals in this section just make these riffs hit that much more also (although a part of me wishes this section was a bit more developed as it feels somewhat like a footnote). While I wasn’t incredibly blown away lyrically, the production does well to match the emotion being conveyed lyrically, which makes this track feel very immersive.
Capping off the project comes the track “The Knife In Me,” which again leaning into familiar R&B/pop influences. As with many other tracks on this project, the production feels quite robust on this track beginning with peppy electronic drums and synths and ending with a lone acoustic guitar. The track speaks heavily to interpersonal conflict/betrayal which feels a bit at odds with the upbeat vocals and sounds. The track also seems to end quite abruptly, which left a bit to be desired of the closing acoustic section.
Overall, I really enjoyed the variety and presentation of different sounds and styles presented in this short, 4 track EP. There are notable influences ranging from indie rock to R&B to soul to pop, and this project blends them together in fun and interesting ways. I wasn’t entirely blown away lyrically or thematically by any track on this project, although the vocal performance was quite captivating. I find that this project is better conceptualized as a sort-of preview of coming attractions rather than a full, cohesive work. As such I’m a bit hesitant to draw overarching conclusions about its quality until the full record is released (which might even make its way into the next review). Nevertheless, it may be worth a listen if you’re interested in what’s to come in late February.
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