I Love You is the second solo release from Yann Le Dorre, formally a mainstay in the Poneke-based ‘gutter folk’ outfit Yolk.
I Love You a follows a path described by previous release Missed as clear development from the work Le Dorre has done in Yolk- removed is the extra instrumentation in favour of a baritone voice set in a minimalist musical backing. I Love You follows a similarly dark lyrical path which is characterised by some striking lines like "I hope to die/ hung by your thighs" with Le Dorre’s languid vocal delivery conveying a sense of intensity and ennui. Quite an interesting blend.
Matching lyrics to melody means that there are necessary considerations for editing, and Le Dorre tends to favour lyrical impact rather than the melodic. Structurally, then, the song takes almost a poetic approach, and at times it feels like the lyrical content overpowers melodic possibilities.
Stripped down , stark, and lyrically striking, I Love You is very much a distillation of Yann Le Dorre's work in Yolk down to its essential elements, and there is a quiet power in this song.
Yann Le Dorré is a folk musician based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. He sings saturnine songs for modern times and the stars too high in the sky. Drawing from 70’s singer- songwriters, outlaw country legends and 90’s grunge acts, he writes for the divorces and drunkards in a series of acoustic reports from the rain-drenched capital.
Formerly known for his work with Poneke's gutter folk band YOLK, Le Dorré is now embarking on his journey as a solo artist under his own namesake.
2023 has seen him release his debut single & video Missed, a piano man's lament to our very own Courtney Place and perform at the capital's beloved Newtown Fest.