Nilüfer Yanya Sets Her Third Studio Album ‘My Method Actor’ Alight on the Remix Album

Photo via Teeth Magazine

British singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya released her third studio album, My Method Actor, on September 13, 2024. The soft indie record showcased the signature elements of her artistry - airy, layered vocals, scratchy guitar chords, and self-assured lyricism. The idea of method acting is that there is no separation between the actor and the role they play, and after two album releases, Miss Universe (2019) and Painless (2022), Yanya was just that on My Method Actor - herself. No mask, no costume; just herself, her voice, and her guitar.

Her authenticity runs throughout the lyricism of the album. She wades through her own emotions, gets stuck in certain feelings, and often goes back and forth on the same thought. At times, the conclusion of her thought process is blurry, but she allows herself to be free in her expression. She doesn’t limit herself to a certain structure, but allows her lyrics to flow like an inner monologue would. 

Tonally, the album is consistent from start to finish. Working with producer Wilma Archer, the simple instruments (primarily guitar, cello, and percussion) use minimal electronic production elements. Clearly, Yanya understood that her work could be elevated without losing its integrity. Not only did it make sense to create a remix album, My Method Actor - The Remixes, but Yanya made strong artistic choices in both the songs she chose to remix and the producers she chose to collaborate with. 

The first song, “Mutations”, is a standout in the original album with dark lyrics and fearful tone. It’s a warning for a lover, urging them to recognize danger and leave a relationship before the sun sets. It’s the tightest song of the album so the listener feels the stress of the lyrics. Producer Empress Of’s touch successfully changes the atmosphere of this song. She emphasizes the story of the lyrics in the opposite direction of the original - she reimagines the indie song into a punchy, upbeat synth-pop remix.

Maintaining Yanya’s stunning imagery in her writing is “Just A Western”. The original folky guitar chord pattern is strange, but upon receiving it, Yanya immediately thought of old Western movies and wrote lyrics with those visuals and storylines in mind. “I was thinking of the old Western movies that would come on daytime TV when I was younger.” She said for Apple Music, “They’d be black-and-white films, cowboys riding off into the sunset.” Boy Harsher converts the guitar chords to drum machine loops and oscillating synths, but retains the track’s big screen-inspired feel. While this remix has the slowest tempo of the album, the cold wave elements and overlapping backing tracks give it the same nightclub feel in the rest of the record.

Photo via Teeth Magazine 

The third track is named “Call It Love”. The beautiful, intertwining guitars create a calming atmosphere, a strong juxtaposition for the dramatic lyrics. “I was thinking about a phoenix bursting into flames. Metamorphosis.” Yanya said for Apple Music, “There’s a lot of talk about flames and fire in this album, but this one definitely fits with the journey themes of the record too.” Jam City introduces a brand new, light piano backing and pitches Yanya’s voice up in the most electropop-leaning track on the remix album. It’s an imaginative version of the lyrics, and even with the manipulated vocals, paints the same vivid picture of the original. The longest track is “Like I Say (I Runaway) - MorMor X Lesser Remix”. In the first remix version of this song, MorMor breathes completely new life into the track with several overlapping instrumentals changing pace throughout. Each thoughtfully procured beat adds to the magic of the lyricism.

Lastly is the second version of “Like I Say”. Eclectic DJ/producer Anish Kumar leaves his stamp of soulful, Daft Punk-esque house on this song as his first ever collaboration. His experience in interpolating Hindi film vocals and retro records into dancefloor house electronica is made stunningly apparent on this track. The remixed version is more spaced out between each verse, hook, and chorus, with the original guitar chords sampled in the new polished electronic beat. Despite the house elements, the textures of the new production allow the lyrics to shine. 

Over the years, Yanya has proven her strong sense of self and talent as an artist. This was clear with My Method Actor. But now, with the release of this remix album, her artistic dynamism is undeniable.

Nilüfer Yanya will continue the European leg of her tour this month. Stream the remix album here (but only after you listen to the original here).