YUS is a one-of-a-kind artist; born in Belgium and raised in America, YUS has a perspective that is often not noticed in modern artists. His craftsmanship creates a harmonious marriage of sounds across the board genre-wise, culminating together in his new full-length record, “Hyperspiritual.” This record does an excellent job of showcasing YUS’ potential as an artist, giving him the creative freedom he needs to take little seedlings and transforming them into grandiose blossoming flowers. His record sounds a lot like a spring garden, with colorful sonic imagery gracing your ears at every second. Expert production work establishes a cohesive body of work that could give YUS a diverse audience, even stepping out of the box that one might put him in otherwise.

The intro track, “Kettle Beat” uses Kanye West-esque auto-tuned vocals and synthesizers that sound like fairy dust to tell his story. YUS, as an artist, is proof of the impact that West has left on multiple generations of new musicians. His influence on this record is palpable from the jump; if you are yearning for something that reminds you of “the old Kanye,” you’re in luck, as YUS has taken the bits and pieces of the rapper’s lasting legacy to generate his own soundscape. The most notable instance of this phenomenon is, of course, the autotuned vocals—but if you dig deeper, there are little sprinkles of that era (approximately 2006-2016) that are scattered throughout each track. Take a second to analyze the workings of “Kettle Beat,” and you’ll have YUS all figured out.

Later on, other sounds and techniques enter the arena, providing a robust mix in each song. These songs are not lyrically dense, but when YUS makes a point, he makes one that lingers on your ears well after the record ends. It seems as though YUS is a poet at his core, but songs like “Home” indicate that he has an easier time allowing the music to do the talking. A flowing beat with sturdy, yet ethereal background vocals allow his message to remain clear to audiences. This song is a total vibe and YUS is very skilled at nuance within his music.

One might argue that the only flaw within YUS’ LP is that listeners are left craving more. He is an incredibly talented artist with a lot to offer the world. Standout tracks like “Better Friends” and “You Think It’s Alright” showcase his dynamic excellence as a creator. There is a hint of cultural exploration within “Give Me That” that is instantly recognizable. Nuances like this make listeners crave more from YUS, and 31 minutes of a record is not enough to satisfy those cravings. Hopefully, he is already hard at work at the studio on his next album.

Though short and sweet, YUS is sure to generate a legion of diehard fans if he keeps up this authentic artistic exploration within his music. Profound messaging within his lyrics, nods to the artists who inspire him, and carefully crafted production are all staples in YUS’ songs. Going even deeper with this ideology grants YUS the potential to become unstoppable, introducing audiences to music that they might not have known they liked without his efforts pointing them in the right direction.