British multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter James Berkeley – finest generally known as the previous frontman of UK neo-soul outfit Yakul – confidently steps into solo territory along with his debut album Misplaced Boy, Golden Hour and the document’s heartfelt lead single ‘Giving Me Love’, out now.
Mixing parts of soul, jazz, dream pop, indie, and electronica, Berkeley crafts a sound that’s distinct but acquainted – suppose Thundercat meets Japanese Breakfast with shades of Washed Out.
No stranger to the UK jazz, R&B, and soul circuits, James makes his mark with Yakul, from promoting out Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Membership thrice to collaborating with Mereba and co-writing with Incognito on Tomorrow’s New Dream. He additionally excursions internationally with Incognito, taking part in residencies at Blue Word Tokyo and Blue Word Milan.
Exterior the highlight, he stays quietly prolific: releasing two EPs as a solo artist and collaborating with long-time artistic associate edbl, together with their 2022 joint EP, which has racked up over 2 million streams. He additionally helps acts like Cosmo Pyke and continues to construct a status for each his studio prowess and magnetic reside power.
With a signature falsetto, jazz-inflected piano voicings, and a ardour for analog synth textures, James Berkeley is a genre-defiant artist with one thing to say. Misplaced Boy, Golden Hour is greater than a debut – it’s a declaration of artistic freedom.
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