Exclusive - Album Review: Planet Booty Releases New Studio Album, "YES"

Oakland based electric-funk and R&B dance band Planet Booty just released their brand new full-length album YES today, and if you do anything with your day, make sure you dedicate some time to listen to this funky, uplifting, bootytastic new record! With it being the band’s fourth studio album and their first LP in as many years, the world has desperately needed some new Planet Booty love, and they delivered!

When asked for a quote about the album, frontman Dylan Germick had this to say: “If there was a time for something fun, joyful, a little different, liberating, or something that could take us away from the heaviness of our time – it’s now. I’m not deluded enough to think that what we do is something radically new or is going to change the world but it is my sincere hope that the sheer passion and joy we put into our music might spark an idea or inspire someone who can and will change our planet for the better.”

It’s official. Our first full length album in 4 years “YES” arrives 9/21/21. After the last two years of collectively being beaten down & brought to the brink we stand with cheeks in hand to say to the world fuck YES. Tix for the YES Fall Tour are on sale https://t.co/kuDU9A1jne pic.twitter.com/hGN0Ngr0aI
— Planet Booty (@planetbooty) August 24, 2021

For a quick rundown on who they are, Planet Booty is comprised of singers Dylan Germick and Josh Cantero with bassist Rob Gwin. They’re best known for their energetic live shows, touring across the US, UK, and Europe, hooking audiences with their energetic music and positive messages. The trio has played club shows to arenas, and have supported acts such as Lizzo, Big Freedia, Ninja Sex Party, Capital Cities, TWRP, K Flay, and many more! With two EPs, and now four albums under their belt, this band has lots to offer!

On to the main focus of this article: I had the opportunity to listen to this album early and write this review, and let me tell you, this album is a blessing to the ears! Filled to the brim with high energy booty bopping jams, YES is a must listen! Here’s my breakdown on each song featured on this new record:

Dancing In My Bedroom: Starting off with the first track, “Dancing In My Bedroom” was originally released as a single in June 2020, and as you can probably guess, this track is all about staying home and dancing alone in your bedroom. We’ve all been there, when you put on your favorite playlist, and the music gets you going, you just gotta dance like no one’s watching! And how quarantine had most everyone cooped up in their homes for a long time, this song came out at the perfect time to groove around and lift your spirits! With a very upbeat electric marimba carrying throughout the song, this track is sure to get you up on your feet and dancing in your bedroom!

Squat: Now that you’ve loosened up with the opening track, it’s time to get down and dirty. In true Planet Booty fashion, this song is all about the booty! Produced by El Gun Legro this track features three rap verses from Dylan, Josh, and Flynt Flossy and ties it all together with an early 2000s rap/hip-hop vibe throughout the song. It might take you several listens to catch all the clever butt innuendos sprinkled throughout the verses. Listening to this song, you can just imagine being in a crowded club, with the speakers booming, lights flashing, and people dancing all over each other.

Scratch ‘n Sniff: It’s time to get funky! This track slows things down a tad and particularly stands out with its instrumentals: combining horns, talk box, and Jake Wood on drums into a silky smooth jam! With Dylan and Josh’s vocals taking a shine in this song, it ties everything together in a neat little 80s techno-funk bow! And with the lyrics about getting all up close and personal with your special someone, this song brings in the sexy flair to all the grooves. If that sounds up your alley, then this is the song for you!

Only If You Say Yes: There’s absolutely nothing sexier than consent, and that’s what this track is all about! The song talks about the importance of getting consent from your partner before things get frisky, and that’s something everyone should normalize! And then there’s the music to consider, with TWRP lending their musical prowess with a funky bass line, incredible guitar solo, drums, and synth, and singer Sarah Clarke bringing her incredible vocals, this track is a musical beauty. Pairing this message with such high energy music makes this song stand out so much, and I can already tell this one will be a fan favorite!

You’re a Star: With this song originally being released as a single in March 2020, this smooth R&B track keeps to the band’s message about body positivity. This track hits you with those Justin Timberlake vibes, and even features a smooth horn solo. That, paired with all the synth and Josh’s vocals taking center stage, it’s hard not to feel good about yourself while grooving along to this track!

Ghostin’: This song, as you guessed it, is all about being ghosted. While getting ghosted is no fun at all, this track is so wonderfully crafted with its pop culture references, Josh’s rap verse, and so much synthy goodness, it’s hard not to bop along. One thing I kept thinking while listening to it, is how I can easily imagine hearing this song come on the radio, it’s that good!

Connoisseur: The last of their pre-released singles, this exquisite song was originally released this past January. What I would describe as a perfect getting-ready-for-a-night-out song, it makes you want to be your fanciest, most extravagant self (as you deserve!) With a nasty bass line and the talk box making it’s reappearance, this gives upbeat 80s perfection. Not only is the song a bop, it also teaches you how to spell! Now I’m confident in my ability to spell connoisseur; thanks Planet Booty!

So So: One of my favorites off the album, this soulful ballad tackles the heavy topics of depression, anxiety, and burnout. With Dylan taking the lead in this song, his voice so perfectly conveys the message of the lyrics, about wanting to get yourself out of the hole you’ve falling in, but you just can’t manage to climb out. And with all the beautiful harmonies and the upbeat tempo carrying throughout the song, it gives a good balance to the existential lyrics.

Sweaty Already: In a similar vein to “You’re A Star” this track is about getting down to business as you are, sweat and all! Of course, Planet Booty is no stranger to sweat-themed songs, with “Futuresweat” from the same titled album, being, as expected, all about sweat. But now take this sexy sweat-forward message, add some fun Mario Kart-esce music and wonderful vocals from Audio Angel, you have the perfect song to get up off your feet and jump around!

That New OG Shit: Time to slow it down one last time with this very saxy song. Featuring saxophone played by Ninja Sex Party‘s Brian Wecht, this electric R&B song gives Josh the spotlight to carry this song with his angelic voice. With so much synth, sax, and talk box, this song just makes you want to cozy up to that special someone.

Sexual Savior: Last but certainly not least, we have the very funky and upbeat masterpiece that is “Sexual Savior”! In what is probably the pinnacle of Planet Booty songs, the rhythm section shines in this track. With drums from Michael Reed, Dylan’s vocals taking the lead, Audio Angel making a glorious reappearance, and bringing the booty love and worship back full force, this track is a perfect way to tie up this record!

And that’s the album! This eleven track record was filled with one incredible song after another, and takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions and dancing. With help from several Bay Area musicians, and even some across North America, this LP was crafted with love, and you can definitely tell when you listen to each track. So the question you may be wondering, did I love this album? I have one simple answer for you, “YES!”

I’ll end off this part of the article with the rest of this lovely quote from Dylan: “We love our fans so much and truly put everything we had into this album even when things felt so lost. We hope anyone who hears our music finds something that will make their lives better even if it’s for just a moment. When we were faced with the real question on whether to go on and try to make it through this pandemic as a band the only answer we could say to ourselves in the mirror was resounding YES. So let’s dance, laugh, make love, scream at the top of our lungs, ugly cry in the middle of a crowd, hold each other up, cheer each other on, wear something sexy as fuck, and be whatever it is we need to be to survive this insane world… together. Planet Booty loves you. Let’s fucking do this shit!!!”

And in other news, Planet Booty is set to headline a nation-wide tour this fall, and with support from Rich Aucoin, it’s a tour you won’t want to miss! With this being their first live shows back in nearly two years, you know this tour will be something special! And, trust me, you’re going to want the opportunity to hear this incredible album in person, so make sure you make your way out to one of these concerts!

THIS FALL. 24 CITIES. REAL STAGES. BOOTY IS OFFICIALLY BACK!!!! TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY @ 10AM YOUR LOCAL TIME ZONE. OMFG YES!!!

With main support @richaucoin. For rescheduled summer dates contact point of sale for transfers or refunds

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— Planet Booty (@planetbooty) April 20, 2021