Since first steering their golden Rover into swift public acclaim back in 2020, Leeds quartet Yard Act have become one of the great indie success stories of the decade so far. Their debut album, The Overload, was released in January 2022 and debuted at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart. Along the way, they’ve ticked off milestones ranging from a Number Two chart placing and Mercury Prize nomination for The Overload, to a co-sign from Elton John who joined the band to guest on a string-laden reworking of album closer 100% Endurance. Yet, whilst the band’s trajectory continuously shot upwards, vocalist James Smith and his wife had also welcomed a son. And it’s this duelling sense of responsibility and ambition, guilt, love, drive, and everything in between that forms the narrative backbone of brilliantly exploratory second album Where’s My Utopia. Written in snapshots of time between a relentless touring schedule and produced jointly by the band and Gorillaz’ Remi Kabaka Jr, the quartet’s second act is a giant leap forward into broad and playful new sonic waters. Across the record, influences ranging from Fela Kuti to Ennio Morricone via Spiller’s ‘00s pop smash ‘Groovejet’ make themselves known. It’s a celebratory palette upon which Smith allowed himself to reach lyrically deeper into himself than ever. One of the most exciting northern bands to emerge in recent years, Yard Act will bring their energetic post-punk presence and sharp observations of modern society to Splendour this July.