Nilüfer Yanya – My Method Actor

Nilüfer Yanya's third album My Method Actor cements her status as one of most exciting voices of her generation

Album Review by Lewis Wade | 09 Sep 2024
  • Nilüfer Yanya - My Method Actor
Album title: My Method Actor
Artist: Nilüfer Yanya
Label: Ninja Tune
Release date: 13 Sep

Nilüfer Yanya's debut, Miss Universe, felt like a refreshing new twist on guitar music back in 2019 and her credentials were confirmed on 2022's Painless. Now, My Method Actor continues an excellent run from an artist who can seemingly do no wrong.

Songs like Like I Say (I runaway) or Method Actor retain her fuzzy guitars, but Yanya's voice has been distilled to its purest essence, rarely needing to rise above a whisper to get her message across. However, that message is often a messy knot of stark kiss-offs and gnawing anxieties. Binding is an atmospheric slow-builder, thoughts like 'I need your amnesia' tumbling from Yanya like an unspooling thread. On the title track she explores personal duality in assured, catchy tones, despite the dark notions of soullessness. Its outro introduces an eerie ambience that's further explored in more industrial tones on Ready for Sun (touch) and finally resolved on peaceful closer, Wingspan. Even a line as severe as 'You don't get to be eroded / Cause you're dead to me' is delivered with unflappable cool.

While seeking answers to life's biggest questions, Yanya drills down into the minutiae of life, surrounding her thoughts with intricate strings, swirling synths and twinkling guitars. The production is pristine, while none of her lo-fi charm has been lost. My Method Actor is a triumph on all counts.

Listen to: Method Actor, Like I Say (I runaway)