GENRE; Rock
LABEL: Sub Pop
RATING; 6.8
Nestled between psych-rock haze and cultural reflection, Stand on My Shoulders marks a striking evolution for Ya Tseen, the musical project led by Tlingit/Unangax̂ artist Nicholas Galanin. Released on January 16, 2026 via Sub Pop, this album forgoes easy genre labels, weaving indie, ambient, disco, and subtle protest into a cohesive, meditative whole.
From the opener “Ircenrraat” with Ashley Young to the hypnotic closer “Digital Winter”, the record moves at a steady mid-tempo pulse that invites deep listening rather than instant hooks. Galanin’s willingness to shift between English, Spanish, Yupik and Tlingit adds rich texture, turning every track into a tapestry of sound and language that feels both intimate and expansive.
A defining strength of the album lies in its collaborative spirit. Tracks like “Taste on My Lips” — featuring Portugal. The Man, Meshell Ndegeocello and Sidibe — bring a buoyant disco-tinged groove that contrasts beautifully with the more contemplative moments. Meanwhile, “Twilight” and “Perfect Combo” showcase how diverse voices and styles can complement Galanin’s calm, reflective delivery without ever diluting the emotional core of the material.
Lyrically and thematically, the album grapples with kinship, resistance, and legacy. The centerpiece “Dei Kee Tla Tin” is a deeply personal tribute to Galanin’s late father — a blues guitarist — blending simple acoustic lines with spoken word to underscore the album’s title: carrying forward past strengths and stories.
At times, Stand on My Shoulders risks drifting into ambience rather than urgency, but this quiet insistence is precisely its strength — it’s protest music that whispers rather than shouts, rooted in connection and reflection. It reveals itself slowly, rewarding listeners willing to lean in.