Share new track ‘Streetlight’ due 6th March
“All that comes to life in their funk and jazz-tinged sound.” – Complex Magazine
Brighton based neo-soul 4-piece Yakul are pleased to announce details of a brand new track ‘Streetlight’ due this March, proving once again that Yakul are an emerging, standout voice in contemporary pop music. Renowned for their impressive live performances, Yakul have long been a staple of Britain’s much-celebrated neo-soul scene. Co produced by LA based songwriter / musician / producer Sam Barsh whose credits include compositions for Aloe Blacc, Macy Gray, Kendrick Lemar, Joey Bada$$ et al; the new single captures that acclaim and the emotive energy of their music effectively.
They say: “Streetlight was the first track that we finished when we started writing this new release and we kind of knew that it was the first thing we wanted to put out. There’s a lot going on in it, but unlike some of the other tracks we’ve done that are quite busy this one came together really quickly. Sam Barsh did an amazing job on the production and kept the live feel of it, which was really dope too, shouts to him! Lyrically, Streetlight is about one of those proper unhealthy infatuations with someone where you know it’s not going to end well but you keep going back. As the song progresses this is realised more and more which causes a higher level of inner conflict, but it’s still not enough to break away completely.”
With influences like J-Dilla, D’Angelo and Hiatus Kaiyote, Brighton based four-piece Yakul already cut an idiosyncratic figure in British music. Marrying introspective and emotive lyrics with deep grooves and jazz-infused progressions, they’ve created a sound that is matchless in its musical depths and its voracious fusion of styles and vibes across the musical spectrum. Yakul have picked up a growing reputation on the live circuit, further cementing their status at the forefront of the international resurgent neo-soul movement. Their debut EP ‘Getting Late’ was released in August 2019 with support from tastemakers like Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 6, Jamz Supernova on BBC 1xtra, KCRW, Jazz FM and others.
The lead track ‘Blossoming’ off their EP was voted #6 Track of the Year on the prestigious Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards. In addition, the band has also just been nominated for the Best Jazz Act of the Year at the Urban Music Awards (announced 14th February).
The band consists of James Berkeley (vocals and keys), Tom Caldwell Nichols (bass), Sam Hughes (drums) and Leo Utton (guitar). Yakul performed multiple times at legendary jazz club Ronnie Scotts in London in 2019, alongside some key UK festival performances including Love Supreme and On Blackheath, and supports including Joel Culpepper and RC and the Gritz (Erykah Badu’s band).
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