Specialising in audio forensics at university, James Yuill’s experience in the analysis and evaluation of sound as criminal evidence for the legal system means that when it comes to his own music Yuill’s studio is a lab where sonic chemistry happens; a fragment is catalysed by an idea, which reacts with a refrain, crystallising into the final product bringing about a change in state. 

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A Change In State, the fourth album by James Yuill, is that crystallisation. It is the sound of a unique artist who can take his influences: Nirvana, Nick Drake, Justice or Aphex Twin and distil the energy of folk and electronica, rock and beats into a warm and responsive entity. 

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Best known for his one-man, electro-folk shows, Yuill has toured around the world alongside Phoenix, Hot Chip, Royksopp and M83, to name a few. James’ music has been featured on Gray’s Anatomy, Scrubs, One Tree Hill, The Inbetweeners and Pretty Little Liars. He also wrote the music and starred in his own Guinness Christmas advert. With support from Radio 1’s Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens and Rob Da Bank, along with BBC 6Music’s Radcliffe and Maconie and Steve Lamacq, and consistent love from Absolute and XFM. 

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This album literally came to life with the birth of Yuill’s first child. Intending to break from song writing, James started to sell off the equipment in his Hackney studio readying himself to welcome his infant into the world but much like newborns. That last song refused to rest and instead it became the first of many, which now make up this explorative and textured album, A Change In State. 

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With such broad ranging musical influences, training in really listening and the seismic effects of parenthood all in the mix meant it was inevitable that this record would be a rare kind of alchemy. Opening track, Cashews welcomes the listener into the ten-track adventure. Back To The Sun emerged from the dream-like twilight reflections new parents almost touch when night-time moments retreat back into the shadows with the first glimpse of dawn. Standouts include A Careless Anon and Hot Damn that effortlessly play into new single Fire Breathing. Taking on a life of its own and refusing to be an intended melancholy, acoustic affair, instead it morphed into a thumping, bass heavy monster. Contrasting effortlessly with Two Faces and closing the record, with the sound of life springing into the universe, is Primal Yell. 

 

Yuill says, “I found that by taking things 'out of the box', I was able to bring in not just other sounds, but other spaces... I realised how many songs on the album refer to flames, fire, warmth or sources of heat. This title, ties that together, the change in atoms when moving through states; they start off close together and then as they become more excited, they move further apart.” 

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A Change In State, the new album by James Yuill, magical moments where solids turn to liquids and then gasses and energies transform.