With their Rhizome Revolution project, Norwegian art-rockers Yobrepus aim to make clear that we’re in a dire polycrisis, where the synergic effects of destructive climate change, cutthroat capitalism, haphazard AI development, and depletion of resources will lead to a serious collapse.
«I think we’re headed for the edge of the cliff to be honest, unless we make some drastic changes to the way we live our lives. By the looks of it though, it’s business as usual, from the politicians and the corporations, so it’s not looking very bright,» says Mats Jørgen Sivertsen – the band’s songwriter.
Through the two albums, listeners are presented with fragments of personal stories, each offering distinct perspectives on a period marked by profound upheaval. The thematic terrain covered is broad, encompassing war crimes, over-consumption, political violence, cyborg existence, killer robots, pollution, Mars colonisation, love and personal responsibility.
«If you bridge the gaps between these musical pieces, you’ll see the contours of a post-apocalyptic reality that can become very real, very soon,» says Sivertsen.
On this second part, the moods are darker and the sounds more electronic – veering into synth-rock and even ambient. Still, there is an overarching progressive structure to the music, complete with Yobrepus’ bent for catchy alt-rock riffs and melancholy ballads.
Yobrepus is an art-rock band from Oslo, Norway. The group consists of Mats Jørgen Sivertsen on vocals, guitars and keys, Vegard Weyergang Vartdal on vocals, synth and bass, Øyvind Rognerud on guitars and keys, and Paal Urdal on drums.
