Yaeji’s long awaited debut With A Hammer sees an artist's love for their music shine through

Following a childhood spent between Atlanta, Korea and Japan, Yaeji’s artistry is so strongly connected to the idea of belonging (or lack of) that her chameleonic adaptation to an endless list of styles fits best. Bits and bobs of bedroom pop, booming house floorfillers and whispery lofi have been served just as sparingly in the form of singles and EPs. A Drake cover here, a Charli XCX collaboration there. With A Hammer adds to her admired sonic palette, now all in one convenient place.

No matter what style Yaeji plays with across the album tracklist, instrumentals are first giveth then taketh away. But this emphasises a remarkable store of vocal tricks: three or four Yaejis sing “I feel suffocated!” on “Ready Or Not,” shifts between Korean and English are as fluid as the backing synth work (“Submerge FM”), and there’s cosy and intimate refrains on “I’ll Remember For Me, I’ll Remember For You.” The former also features IDM artist K Wata, where a danceable groove is foreshadowed through subtle voice manipulation, while interplay with Nourished By Time’s soulful timbre gets projected by production that’s raw and sampled in one go on “Happy.”

This teaming up with left-field electronic artists sees Yaeji’s distinct brand channelled through further avenues. A more bombastic hyperpop cut results from linking up with ‘slinked out’ dance producer/label/creative director Enayet on “Michin.” “1 Thing To Smash” is not quite the hammer blow you’d expect, delivering ambient echoes and squelches alongside London based Loraine James for a relaxed, rain soaked window afternoon. Where there are moodier moments, Yaeji’s monotonous delivery heats up the bubbling atmospheres. Even the off kilter breakbeat on “Fever” hypnotises after a cheeky “Fever! It’s so yellow! A piano!” introduction.

Juggling that playfulness with a dab hand sees unusual production choices paying off with a grin, as Yaeji’s soundboard gradually adds unconnected elements to drive introductory ideas into the fast lane. Opening with woodwind instruments, or using keyboard sounds that mimic a Bop It! actually works. “Away x5”’s descending earworm riff gets scuffed up by live drums seemingly recorded in a garage. Her wispy voice remains the cornerstone for catchy melodies, even if it becomes part of a club-ready R&B cut for “Done (Let’s Get It),” a cinematic horn section, or a skittish jungle dancefloor moment on single “For Granted.”

The artist’s love for effortless aesthetics may have ironically been brought into a confident big room setting on With A Hammer, but successfully merging thoughtful pop, trip hop, house and everything but the kitchen sink is surely anything but effortless. After all, this is Yaeji we’re talking about.