London-based artist YOLZ recently released a small but thoughtful EP called “Migration From Within”. It’s only three tracks, but the project carries a clear idea from start to finish. YOLZ is originally from the Dominican Republic, builds her sound around violin, piano and soft electronic textures. It’s not a common mix and that alone makes the release stand out.
The EP opens with a great intro. It’s a spoken word piece about migration and the message lands immediately. The beat underneath stays simple and almost minimal while a humming vocal line floats behind the words. That quiet background works well. Nothing distracts from the voice and the theme becomes clear right away. It’s a strong start and honestly grabs attention faster than many longer openings.
Next comes “Agua de Mayo”, which moves the EP into a more musical space. This track carries a warm rhythm and a very natural groove. The violin stands out here the most. It moves through the track in a way that is both classical and Caribbean at the same tims. It’s something rare and doesn’t happen often. The vocal line keeps things grounded while electronic details quietly shape the background. It’s subtle, but there’s a lot happening if you listen closely.
The final track, “Parada anhedonia” takes a different approach. No vocals this time. Just instruments and atmosphere. Violin leads the way, followed by electronic layers and a soft touch of piano that appears here and there. The sound builds slowly. Very slowly, actually. But that gradual movement works. Because by the last minute the piece becomes surprisingly engaging without ever getting loud or dramatic.
With this EP, YOLZ shows clear control of her sound. She blends acoustic instruments with electronic elements in an organic way and not forced at all. There’s also a strong sense of identity in the music. The Caribbean influence is present, but it’s shaped through classical training and modern production choices.
It’s a short release but it leaves an impression. The message behind the project is thoughtful and the music carries it well without becoming heavy or overly complex.
We really enjoyed the journey this EP offers. It’s calm but meaningful and the mix of violin, piano, and Caribbean rhythms gives the project a character that stays with you after it ends. She clearly has both skill and vision and we’re curious to see where she takes this sound next.
Written by Roisin Doyle
BoredCity
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Yolanda Yovanna Báez Guillermo is a violinist, pianist, and interdisciplinary artist whose career bridges classical music and contemporary creation. Her connection with music began at an early age: at seven, she started formal studies at the Dominican Academy of Music, exploring piano and guitar. At nine, deeply captivated by the sound of the violin, she chose to focus entirely on this instrument, marking the beginning of an artistic path that would define her musical identity.
In 2007, she entered the National Conservatory of Music as an auditing student, beginning her training as a violinist. With a clear vision of pursuing higher education abroad, she strategically shaped her academic path to achieve this goal. In 2010, she simultaneously undertook two university degrees: a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, with a concentration in Music Theory and Education, at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design at the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC). During these years, Yolanda traveled across the city from north to south to complete both programs in parallel, demonstrating a strong work ethic and deep creative curiosity. She graduated from UASD in 2016 and from INTEC in 2017.
Driven by a desire to refine her interpretative language, she continued her postgraduate studies in Europe. In 2019, she was awarded a scholarship by the Dominican Ministry of Higher Education to pursue a Master’s degree in Musical Performance at Bangor University, in Wales, United Kingdom. She completed the program in 2020, with the violin as her principal instrument. Complementing her musical training, she expanded her creative profile through studies in furniture design at the University of the Arts London (UAL), integrating music, design, and contemporary aesthetics.
In 2024, she officially launched her independent artist project under the name YOLZ, an innovative proposal that fuses classical music with organic deep electronic house and traditional Dominican rhythms. Her work is characterized by the violin and piano as central elements, integrated with electronic textures and traditional percussion such asthe tambora, creating a sophisticated, organic, and deeply identity-driven sonic experience.
Yolanda currently resides in London, where she continues to build her artistic and professional career. She is Principal First Violin of the Fulham Symphony Orchestra, performs actively with her independent project YOLZ in various venues, and collaborates within the music industry as a Visual and Sound Manager at a record label based in Blackfriars. Her work reflects a constant commitment to artistic excellence, innovation, and the representation of the Dominican culture at its highest level on international stages.
