Yacovelli: Doppelganger
Doppelganger Blues: YACOVELLI’s Identity Crisis Ignites the “Nu York” Sound
by Jack Rush
With their second single “Doppelganger,” NYC's YACOVELLI charges into the modern alt-rock landscape, led by magnetic frontman and DIY producer Alex Yacovelli. A former member of Rich N Pretty and Not Your Queen’s English, Yacovelli commands this project with swagger and purpose, pushing the boundaries of Neo-Grunge, Punk, Sleaze, and Garage Rock under the evolving banner of “Nu York.”
Inspired by the restless spirit of urban life, Yacovelli has long been a vital figure in the city’s underground scene, sharing stages with legends like Weezer and now carving out his own sonic identity. “Doppelganger” is a full-throttle headbanger that marries existential angst with undeniable hooks. At its core, the track is a volatile exploration of self-alienation—what happens when the face in the mirror no longer feels like your own?
From its opening siren-like guitar squeal to its distortion-drenched climax, the track blends the drama of The Prestige with the grime of early 2000s alt-rock. Think Nirvana meets Foo Fighters via a back alley in Bushwick. Yacovelli’s vocals soar with theatrical flair as he declares, “I saw myself today / In the face of another,” launching the listener into a psychological standoff that evokes both Tyler Durden and A Clockwork Orange’s morally wayward Droogs.
The production is colossal—layers of fuzzed-out guitars build a wall of sound that crashes with every chorus, only to erupt into a near-operatic finale. While the subject matter dives deep into fractured identity and moral compromise, the song never wallows. Instead, it thrashes with adrenaline, driven by hard-hitting drums and anthemic gang vocals designed to stick in your skull.
Yet, for all its noise, “Doppelganger” is surprisingly melodic. The hooks are tight, the choruses chant-ready. You may find yourself singing along before the song’s halfway point, swept up in the battle between good and evil raging at its core.
Yacovelli hints that an unplugged version may be on the horizon—perhaps reimagined on acoustic guitar or grand piano—a move that suggests a thoughtful duality behind the distortion. Whether stripped down or turned up to eleven, the message remains potent: in the court of the mind, we are all judge, jury, and executioner.
YACOVELLI continues to shape the emerging “Nu York” sound, a thrilling fusion of Bowery punk grit and caffeinated Seattle grime. Their music pulses with an energy that’s both nostalgic and forward-thinking—punk ethos with alt-rock ambition.
As Yacovelli himself puts it:
“What you can expect with each new song is a caffeinated New York meets Seattle punch. We promise to always bring the energy and adrenaline rush to every track, aside from the occasional unplugged jam or ballad. Rock on. Hope to catch you at a live show!”
Verdict: Doppelganger is a blistering, hook-heavy identity crisis delivered with bombast and grit. If this is what “Nu York” sounds like, sign us up.
Have a listen and connect with Yacovelli:
Facebook ALEX YACOVELLI ⚡️ (@alexyacovelli) • Instagram photos and videos
