Emerging genre-bending artist JKL aka YLLW unveils their new project Our Shape in the Negative. This 16-track project explores the concept of identity, self-discovery, growth and the difficulties of challenging the norm. As a multi-faceted artist, JKL is pushing their musical boundaries alongside their quest for self-autonomy in a world where external validation has clouded the minds of many.

The project opens with “Tire Iron” with rousing electric guitar licks and hushed drums which drown out the vocals at certain parts. Here, JKL talks about being boxed in and the bottled-up emotions of not being heard. Lines like “Oh you hear my whines/Are they too overt?/Can’t hide my face I’ve swallowed dirt/Lived in my choices ate my horderves/Live life so noiseless/Is that so absurd?” underpin the growing pains. This is followed by the off-beat “Full Court Lob” which uses basketball terms as a motif while detailing a conversation between JKL and the thoughts swirling in their head. The project soundscape is worth nothing as it doesn’t cater to a particular audience. It’s quite difficult to categorize it besides the experimental, industrial and rock/hip-hop-infused elements, which on paper doesn’t do it much justice. Tracks like “The Other” employ extensive sound design and minimal vocals while “Swifts, Spilled the Bowl…” featuring ii/lo have an indie soft rock feel. “Charmed” has a bit of a traditional drum groove but the overall arrangement is still edgy and on the fringe and “Ouroboros” strays completely with distorted pedal-driven guitars and a spoken wordlike performance.

There is so much to unpack as the project progresses, listeners are thrown deep into the dark crevices of JKL’s mind. On “gotoBED!” she shares a chilling hook that goes thus

“COVID alert (ICE.)

Fuck up a TERF (CASH.)

Burnt out on turf (XAN, PERC.)

Kobe alert, 5 years ago

What’ve done to this Earth since?” and continues with verses that dive into the futility of self-fulfillment and consumerism. This is followed by “Oh, Hyper,” a sparsely produced track with moody textures, punchy drums and heartfelt lyrics that explore the dangers of getting close to the tipping point.

The project closes with “Blue Glow” and “Real-time, Socialize.” Two vastly different tracks with varying musical styles. The former has a soulful feel with pop sensibilities while the latter employs psychedelic sound design techniques with extensive aural effects to create an enthralling soundscape which soars into an alternative pop piece. Topic-wise, JKL dives into the delicate territory of finding one’s true identity with  lines like

“Breathe through it

I think that’s what I’ve heard

I’ll try when I look up from the sink

When I come up for a drink

When my skin belongs to me

When my body feels complete

Patchwork on my pants, so convinced I didn’t need it

Stitching poked my hand, can’t just super glue this-

Can’t consume to build a scabbing” that underpins this never-ending journey.

Other interesting and notable tracks include the lofi soul/glitchy track “Alex’s Bump” featuring Alex David and “Gliding On or Striding Through?.” Again, both tracks show JKL’s versatility and knack for going against the musical norms.

Overall Our Shape in the Negative, is dense, and extremely hard to categorize in terms of sound and the overarching theme of covering an uncomfortable topic for some is what makes it refreshing.