Yonaka – Until You’re Satisfied (album review)

 It’s been a long time coming, but seven years on from their debut, Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow, Yonaka are finally back with their sophomore album Until You’re Satisfied. That’s not to say there has been radio silence from the band since 2019, with an EP, mixtape and standalone singles, bridging the gap.

Album opener ‘Intro’ clocks in just shy of 80 seconds, a piano melody that sparks comparison to ‘Sunburn’ by Muse. Despite its subtle run time, the lyrics pack a punch with Theresa Jarvis’ vocals as haunting as ever as she softly states ‘Help me create a beautiful disaster’. Merging seamlessly into the next track, ‘Problems’ Jarvis’ initially quiet and breathy vocals are Billie Eilish-esque before shifting into a high energy cry. Backed by catchy pop-metal guitar hooks Jarvis sounds emotionally charged as she declares ‘it hurts like death, my only friend, how could I ever love again’.

From the tracks that dropped in the latter stages of 2025, ‘Hit Me When I’m Sore’ was the standout and Jarvis has stated it’s ‘about being hurt but when you know how it feels, then it can sting but it doesn’t break you’. It’s a powerful and energetic break-up ode with Jarvis lamenting ‘Didn’t know how much I could miss ya, til you were really out of the picture, thought you were a permanent fixture.’ A sentiment no doubt relatable to anyone who has gone through a similar situation.  

Final tracks, ‘Bite the Bullet’ and ‘Try’ bring down the curtain in frenetic style. Both are full of rock swagger with piercing guitar riffs and crashing drums that will have you headbanging with joy. ‘Let’s finish what we started and go out with a bang’, Jarvis exhales and that’s exactly what they do. It’s an exhilarating finale and we can only hope album number three doesn’t take as long as its predecessor.

Yonaka will play the Glasgow Garage as part of their UK album tour, on 10th October

Until You’re Satisfied is out now via Distiller