Yaeji’s Debut Album ‘With A Hammer’ Is A Mesmerizing And Triumphant Effort

Following a string of teaser singles that were as thoughtful as they were mesmerizing, Yaeji has finally unveiled With A Hammer, her fierce debut album.

Yaeji’s artistic growth from the lo-fi house stylings of her 2017 breakout EP2 has been nothing short of impressive. The Korean-American producer, singer and songwriter has positioned herself in a truly unique space within the music alternative and electronic music scene, crafting a lively palette of quirky synthlines and eerie melodies, while lacing her unorthodox arrangements with intimate singing in both English and Korean.

From her debut mixtape What We Drew 우리가 그려왔 to an official remix for Dua Lipa and a collaboration with Charli XCX and Clairo, Yaeji had an impressive run throughout the late 2010s, before taking a step back from the limelight in order to work on With A Hammer, undoubtedly the biggest project of her career.

A deep and introspective album, With A Hammer spans 13 tracks in length and features guest appearances from K Wata, Enayet, Nourished by Time and Loraine James, while seeing Yaeji put on some of her most raw and honest performances to date. Through a barrage of lyrics that are intricate and purposeful, Yaeji tackles themes of anger and resentment, extensively touching on her experience as a Korean woman in the U.S.

In addition to the emotional weight of the album, Yaeji also showcases her unmatched versatility as a musician. Seamlessly weaving multiple genres together, she creates a unique sound that feels both fresh and familiar. This experimentation is perhaps best showcased on tracks like "For Granted,” "Michin" and “Away x5” where Yaeji masterfully builds tension before unleashing a torrent of raw energy.

On the other hand, tracks like “Pass Me By” and are laced with an acoustic, indie aura, while “I’ll Remember For Me, I’ll Remember For You” combines ethereal synth beds with happy saxophone solos.

Overall, With A Hammer is a triumph for Yaeji. A testament to her artistic and personal development, it positions her as one of the most exciting and unique voices in modern music.

The album’s physical version is accompanied by a 111-page booklet that offers a glimpse into Yaeji's creative process, including a fictional story, paintings, and even entries from her personal journal. Yaeji also just embarked on a North American tour in support of With A Hammer, landing in Vancouver, Portland, Atlanta, Washington, Toronto, Boston, New York and more. Tickets are available here.

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