“Ylayali has always been a vessel for self-reflection,” explains Francis Lyon of his long running recording project. “For the first seven or eight years it was almost purely a vehicle of exorcizing specific painful, embarrassing, or confusing experiences.” We’ve followed Lyon’s work for a number of years, though 2019’s caterpillar graveyard felt like the beginning of a new direction for the project. Or a consolidation of the Ylayali sound as Lyon best imagines it. “Wall of noise,” “a runaway fuzz,” “radio interference or the clamour of ghosts.” Our review hinted at the album’s myriad of tones. The various shades and moods required to process traumatic experiences, textures within which Lyon could then sit and share parts of himself. “The voice,” we concluded, “when it eventually arrives, is little more than a quiet murmur, like secrets or truths uttered to the dark way beyond midnight.”
After two more releases in the interim, next month sees the release of brand new Ylayali album, separation, via Dear Life Records. A collection of songs which continues both Lyon’s excavation of his self and the ‘fresh start’ triggered on caterpillar graveyard. The pop melodies, the quiet yet unguarded delivery, the sense something dreamlike or spiritual is taking place. Not that it’s an entirely solo endeavour. Lyon is known for his collaboration, playing in Free Cake For Every Creature, 2nd Grade, 22° Halo and others, and enlists the likes of Katie Bennett (vocals), Jason Calhoun (synth, violin), Will Kennedy (guitar), Jack Washburn (bass, guitar) and Heeyoon Won (harp, ipad garageband, french horn, vocals) to elevate separation too.
Dreams are central to the record, the entire thing emerging from a conversation Lyon had with his “therapist-cum-Sliding Scale Spiritual Adviser and Dream Analyst.” A particularly vivid recollection drew admiration from this trusted listener, flattering Lyon enough to turn Ylayali toward dreams as a source of inspiration. After all, if our night time visions are manifestations of our unconscious, then what better place to dig? “Separation is almost entirely a ‘dialogue’ between me and a character from a dream,” he explains. “He’s a man of idioms and advice and insecurity. He’s an empty wig and lifeless outfit on my studio floor.”
Latest single ‘He Needs Me’ serves as the theme song to Lyon’s relationship with this dream companion. A bright track balanced between fondness and melancholy, its harp and violin conjure a tone ethereal but also rooted in something earthier. “Just narrowly escaped myself / when the dust clears I’m alone,” Lyon sings. “I pray to worms, birds, bats, fireflies / save my brain from the wandering mind.” But its not the wildlife who comes to Lyon’s aid but the dream man, locked and loaded with insecurities of his own. “He needs me.”
separation is out on 2nd September via Dear Life Records and you can pre-order it now. Ylayali is heading out on tour in support of the release and you can see the dates below:
