Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

The Profile

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is an American indie rock band formed in 2004 and led by Alec Ounsworth. They self-released their 2005 debut, riding blog-era word of mouth, and became known for Ounsworth’s distinctive vocals, adventurous songwriting, and spirited live shows.

Debut album Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (2005) was self-released and achieved wide attention via online word of mouth. Follow-ups include Some Loud Thunder (2007), Hysterical (2011), Only Run (2014), The Tourist (2017), and New Fragility (2021). Ounsworth has also performed solo, including piano-and-voice rearrangements collected on a 2024 EP.

DeBaser’s reviews chart CYHSY from their self-released 2005 debut to the braver textures of Some Loud Thunder and the intimate 2024 Piano & Voice EP. Alec Ounsworth’s singular voice divides at first, then hooks hard. Live accounts praise the band’s energy and crowd fervor. Overall tone: fond, excited, and a bit starry-eyed.