JAY
BONES.

I tracked the album at Asylum Studios with Paul Gioia in August. I wanted to be hands-on, so I decided to mix it myself. One thing led to another and I ended up mastering it too. A bit of a gamble, but I trusted my gut. Having spent plenty of time in studios with FUZIGISH and Rambling Bones, working with some amazing producers and engineers — including Matt Fink, JP de Stefani, Steve Grenfell, Mike Wright and Theo Crous — I’d like to think I’ve picked up a few things along the way.

I chose nine tracks from around 40 songs in various stages of completion. Some were fully figured out; others were halfway there and still needed work. I wanted songs that would sit well together without taking themselves too seriously, but still mean something.

The opening track, YouTube Manifestor, comes from a time when everything felt like it was falling apart and I needed some positivity. I started listening to those cheesy ten-minute manifestation videos on YouTube. I wouldn’t have admitted it then — it felt a bit cringe — but they helped. I do think what you spend your time thinking about shapes how you see the world.

Fly is a special track for me, drawing on both African and Celtic influences. With dreamy fingerpicking and just a few lyrics, it feels like the next step after Watching & Waiting, a song I released with Rambling Bones.

Do Not Disturb and Algorithm Overlord look at modern life and the ways technology influences — or intrudes on — it. Cat-Cow is about stretching and becoming a “bendy man”, with some silly lyrics about online therapy and usernames like Shaolin Master 69.

The album closes with Bug In My Shoe, a jangly folk song that ends with the bug moving on and a warning to keep an eye on your shoes.

I’m looking forward to playing shows around the country and sharing these songs with you.

— Jay