PRESS

Silhouettes is a journey through dark, synth-driven nights and deathrock-infused days. Every track on this record brings a different atmosphere — sometimes seductive, sometimes confrontational, sometimes melancholic – Cvlt Nation

Layering guitars and saxes over synths and drum machines, this Oakland duo's darkwave is as melodically potent as it is texturally rich. – Bandcamp New & Notable

What a stunning thrill of a debut. As they – and we – bask in the emotive and moving glow of this initial full-length, one can hardly imagine where Yama Uba evolve from here, but they will, and we will all be there. – Stereo Embers

Silhouettes is a neon shockwave. Channeling the eternal flame into a cacophony of gritty, industrial beats, and resounding bass grooves, this duo of Akiko Sampson and Winter Zora cut fluorescent goth hymnals out of sonic glass. Venom-laced vocal incantations spiral into ageless melodies, melting away the cold embrace of Zora’s skeletal guitar magic and snaking saxophone motifs. All of it is fueled by an infectious rhythmic energy propelling coarse synth arrangements into gauzy, ethereal dust shaded by reverb gloss. And when those horn arrangements slink back into frame, a doomed romance waves the white flag so these songs can finally cut us to pieces. Silhouettes is an enthralling album that won’t let go of our throats until the final note. – Foxy Digitalis

Combining the infectious sounds of sweeping guitar, rumbling bass, soaring saxophone and velvet synthesizers over synthpop beats, Yama Uba makes several nods to their post-punk and darkwave predecessors, yet creates a sound entirely their own. – Echoes and Dust

As you listen to Silhouettes, a wide, kaleidoscope-like variety of names comes to your mind, from Christian Death and The Sisters Of Mercy, to the previously mentioned Bauhaus and Faith And The Muse, with, sometimes, an elusive reminiscent of Cocteau Twins mood. The album is a distinctive captivating piece that took the best from the influences of the bands’ haunting atmosphere and added to it personal passion and emotion, which is woven into the lyrics of each of the songs. Silhouettes is all about intoxicating romance, desires and sometimes grief. It’s a bittersweet mixture of dark and delicious poetry and soul-piercing yet charming melodies. – Tempelores.com

Founded by Akiko Sampson with collaboration by Winter Zora, Yama Uba’'s debut album Silhouettes is a nostalgic rush of gothic darkwave that has echoes of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bauhaus. At the forefront of Silhouettes are the vocals of both Akiko and Winter, whose expressive delivery adds layers of depth to each track. From the infectious energy of “Shapes,” propelled by disco-infused rhythms and electrifying synths, to the raw emotion of “Facade,” where blistering guitars collide with industrial beats, every song is a testament to the band’s mastery of their craft. But it’s not all high-energy anthems. Yama Uba showcases their versatility with a cover of The Passions song   “I’m in Love with a German Film Star” and infuses it with love struck reverence. The album’s final track, “Angel,” sees Yama Uba take an introspective turn that is a hauntingly beautiful finale. — Amplifythenoise.com

Layering guitars and saxes over synths and drum machines, this Oakland duo's darkwave is as melodically potent as it is texturally rich. – Bandcamp New & Notable