Single Review: A Certain Ratio - Yo Yo Gi

Manchester post-punk legends A Certain Ratio are back with their latest single ‘Yo Yo Gi’, the second single from their upcoming album ACR Loco – their first full length project in 12 years. The group have become a mainstay in the Manchester music scene, having first come together in 1977 in Flixton.

Primarily instrumental-based, ‘Yo Yo Gi’ is a techno-infused track that retains the funk grooves that give it a typical ACR edge. Over powerful bass and electronic melodies, the futuristic sounds create a weird and dark atmosphere which makes this track feel quite subversive. This song is definitely one for the electronic purists, but has enough wider appeal that it may convert some new fans to ACR as well. 

It’s hard to discuss the new single without also mentioning the accompanying video - a highly creative montage that immerses the viewer into a distorted urban vision made of tube railways, road junctions and exuberant city lights. The track is named after the Yoyogi neighbourhood in Tokyo - where the video was filmed - with the visuals really bringing to life the electronic grooves and heavy techno beat.

It is remarkable that a group that have been around for so long are still finding ways to create a sound that is unique to anything else around the North at the minute and is a real testament to their longevity. It’s difficult not to be swept up in both the track and the video - as the group fuses funk, techno and dark electro in the way that only A Certain Ratio can do. 

Words: Ornella Bou x Jordan Morris