The Yawpers Confront the ‘Human Question’ Head-On

Listening to Denver rockers The Yawpers is like getting a shot of adrenaline straight to your veins and feeling it pulsating through your body, sending sparks out the ends of your fingers and toes, especially their newest release, Human Question. After their incredibly dense 2017 concept album Boy in a Well, Human Question feels like one big hot breath of fire. Sonically, it is a blink-and-you-miss-it explosion of frenetic energy, delivered with a level of urgency that feels like it has been pent up, rattling the cage and dying to get out. This is no coincidence — it was created from start to finish in just two months.

As we’ve come to know them, The Yawpers revel in darkness. They dive headfirst into it, seemingly fearless and untethered, confronting demons, depression, solitude, and trauma. Human Question is no exception. Across 10 tracks, lead singer Nate Cook uses his spitfire howl to take a closer look at the world caving in on him. The Yawpers have mastered their distinct blend of psychobilly, blues, and punk rock, most prominently with the blasting “Dancing On My Knees” and the speedy boogie of album opener “Child of Mercy.” But elsewhere, they’re exploring uncharted territory, at least for them. We get a softer version of Cook’s vocals on the groovy, tripped-out title track, on the country-folk beauty “Man As Ghost,” and on the melodic pop gem “Can’t Wait.” You may even forget it’s The Yawpers in your ear.

Hearing these rambunctious guys experiment with something much quieter is actually a thrill. “Carry Me” is packed with the same power of a soul-wrenching gospel tune. “Where the Winters End” is a stripped-down stunner about aging and coming to terms with your identity. Though it may not pack the punch of a sweat-soaking head-banger, it is emotionally gutting. And maybe that’s the most powerful thing a rock song can be.