Yellow Couch Returns With Tidings In The Rough: A Soulful, Genre-Bending Odyssey Three Years in the Making

When Yellow Couch first landed on our radar during their ALT RECESS debut, we knew something special was unfolding. Now, drummer-composer-producer Layton Weedeman and his genre-defying collective are back with their full-length debut, Tidings In The Rough — and it’s not just an album, it’s an invitation into a living, breathing soundscape built on community, groove, and creative curiosity.

Over ten tracks and three years, Weedeman has crafted a lush, soul-forward blend of jazz, R&B, rock, and hip-hop that sounds like the audio equivalent of flipping through your most personal, well-worn photo album — but in full technicolor.

At its heart, Tidings In The Rough is a love letter to collaboration. From the swirling textures of Afro-Cuban jazz to the thoughtful rhymes of underground hip-hop greats, the album pulses with the energy of real people making music together, one groove at a time. This isn’t a “one-man-band” solo flex — it’s a hand-stitched tapestry of talent from around the globe, unified by Weedeman’s unmistakable rhythmic vision.

“Every track was like opening a door to a new room full of collaborators,” Weedeman shared. “Some people I’d known for years, others I met the day we hit record. But that sense of openness and trust is what made the whole thing click.”

And click it does.

Take the slow-burn opener “Am I More Than Enough?!!!??!”, featuring the ethereal vocals of Estephanie. It lays down the emotional blueprint for the album — a simmering exploration of self-worth and vulnerability wrapped in warm bass and melodic guitar licks courtesy of Kirk Schoenherr. It’s introspective, but not moody. It’s thoughtful, not overwrought. It’s a vibe, plain and simple.

Then there's “No Preface”, a bright and bouncy instrumental that rides an Afro-Cuban groove and puts the spotlight on a shimmering vibraphone solo by Grady Tesch — who, fun fact, once taught Weedeman piano. That blend of past-meets-present comes up again and again throughout the album, giving Tidings a nostalgic soul without ever sounding dated.

Across the record, Weedeman invites a cast of heavy-hitters and rising stars to the couch — JSWISS, John Robinson, Lars Haake, NYALLAH, Roberto Poveda, and so many others. The track “Fool Stop” — a smooth, trumpet-laced gem — pairs Robinson’s sharp verses with JSWISS’s laid-back introspection, all woven together by Estephanie’s hook. The track hits like the best kind of late-night convo: deep, spontaneous, and way too good to cut short.

One standout story? Weedeman tracked down JSWISS after hearing his work with a mutual collaborator. No big label middlemen. Just a DM and a beat that resonated. That’s the spirit of this album — relationships sparked not by strategy, but by sound.

It’s worth noting: Tidings In The Rough is as technically impressive as it is emotionally resonant. The album was mixed by a stacked crew of engineers (Pat Van Dyke, Keith Rice, Jeff Berner, and more), each bringing a distinct flavor to the table while maintaining a cohesive, grounded feel. Whether you’re a jazz head, a boom-bap devotee, or just someone who loves a record that feels alive, this one delivers.

And it's not just for headphones — Yellow Couch Music is hitting the stage this summer, with a highly anticipated live debut at NYC’s genre-blurring staple, Nublu. Expect improvisation, layered textures, and the kind of musicianship that only comes from real-time trust and chemistry.

The beauty of Tidings In The Rough isn’t just in the notes or the features — it’s in the way the album mirrors the act of growing up, building bridges, and holding space for both complexity and joy. It’s an album that makes room for others — and that makes you want to do the same.

There’s no clout-chasing here. No algorithm-baiting. Just pure, grounded creativity from an artist who’s spent decades learning the language of rhythm — and is now using it to bring people together.

Tidings In The Rough is more than a debut — it’s a celebration of artistic friendship, emotional honesty, and what happens when you let the groove guide the way. Yellow Couch Music has delivered a record that feels like a long, overdue conversation between old friends, full of warmth, grit, and soul.