JACOB BANKS NEW PROJECT ‘YONDER: BOOK II’ IS OUT NOW FEATURING THE FOCUS TRACK ‘BLIND’

The MOBO Award winning trailblazer Jacob Banks has released his new project ‘Yonder: Book II’, the second installment in an ambitious three-part anthology series. It features the new focus track ‘Blind’, which has already picked up 6 Music airplay from Chris Hawkins and Craig Charles, and comes ahead of his upcoming ‘Yonder’ European headline tour which calls at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. 

Whereas ‘Book I’ saw Jacob apply his sumptuous soulful vocal to modern sounds inspired by Motown and ‘70s Afrobeat, ‘Book II’ sees him embracing the creative sonics and unorthodox influences from a broad array of alternative sounds. Opening track ‘Blind’ offers the ideal initiation into this fresh approach. Narrating an experience of being lost within love’s surprises, the track opens with a contrast between grinding, manipulated sounds and the stark beauty of piano. Yet as Jacob’s voice seemingly effortlessly blends raw passion and utmost expression, underpinned by gospel vocals, it thunders into a dramatical, cacophonous wall-of-sound.
 
Jacob says,“’Book II’ is a meeting of worlds that have both been dear to me, my love of soul music and my love of alternative music.”
 
The project’s second track ‘All Aboard’ takes the polar opposite approach, a moment of introspective soul-searching with nowhere to hide in its sparse acoustic guitar accompaniment. ‘Something New’ then heads into alt R&B territory, with Jacobruminating on whether to stick with a relationship or gamble on finding something more life-affirming. ‘Book II’ subsequently takes a leftfield turn on ‘Move Like Me’, with the detuned guitars and clattering percussion giving a contemporary feel to a song that otherwise echoes the late Rodriguez. Finally, ‘You Like I Love It’ closes this installment with a gentle, uplifting finale.
 
All five ‘Book II’ songs were solely written by Jacob, who co-produced two tracks with Sillkey (Mabel, Dermot Kennedy, Pa Salieu). The set also features production from Pantha (Emeli Sandé, Wretch 32) and Gavin Powell (Jake Isaac, Stormzy). Expect news of ‘Book III’ to follow in the near future.
 
The Nigerian-born British artist Jacob Banks’ fusion of sounds won him a devoted audience, building from early projects such as ‘The Monologue’ and into his acclaimed 2018 debut album ‘Village’ which features signature songs ‘Chainsmoking’, ‘Slow Up’ and ‘Unknown (To You)’. His second record, ‘Lies About The War’, amplified his artistic vision and was hailed by Hypebeast as “a modern soul classic.” Also an in-demand collaborator, Jacob has worked with artists including Chase & Status, Adekunle Gold, Seinaboy Sey, LP Giobbi, Avelino, Nas and Ghetts.
 
His voice presents a towering presence at live shows, which have included London headline gigs at the Roundhouse and the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire as well as festivals such as Coachella, Latitude, SXSW and Austin City Limits. His abilities are showcased in last year’s ‘Our Time Together: The Live Album’. Next up is his ‘Yonder’ European headline tour which culminates at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. The dates are listed below and tickets are available HERE.
 
MARCH
18th – Brussels, La Madeleine
19th – Utrecht, TivoliVredenburg
20th – Rotterdam, Maassilo
23rd – Cologne, Bürgerhaus Stollwerck
24th – Warsaw, Palladium
26th – Vilnius, Compensa Concert Hall
28th – Riga, Palladium
29th – Tallinn, Alexela Concert Hall
30th – Helsinki,Tavastia
 
APRIL
2nd – Stockholm, Cirkus
3rd – Oslo, Rockefeller
6th – Copenhagen, Vega – Main Hall
8th – Berlin, Metropol
10th – Zürich, Kaufleuten
11th – Bern, Bierhübeli
12th – Cully, Jazz Festival
15th – Paris, La Cigale
17th – Dublin, The Academy
20th – Schijndel, Paaspop Festival
23rd – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town

About Author

Danny

See author's posts