In the autumn of 2022, Nilufer Yanya found herself at a crossroads.
It was a little daunting.
I think Ive become more observant of how I work, Yanya says.
Photo: Molly Daniel
I didnt want to rush back into writing another album because its important to have a breather in between.
But I didnt really have a broader understanding of the process before.
Now, by the third album, I kind of get it.
I understand my habits a bit more.
It took a while to get to that point, she continues.
No creative job is ever super secure.
So you really have to feel it from within, without getting too deep.
You have to be able to say, No, Ive got this.
Youre allowed to do that.
Exploring the softness, I think thats a new thing for me, Yanya says.
And instead of trying to be clever with the songwriting, its like we were trying to simplify it.
Strangely, on repeat listens, the album only becomes evenmorecryptic.
The clue to unlocking it all may lie in that title.
Its not the same thing, but theres a correlation.
And sometimes they lie to youso you always have to be learning and unlearning those memories.
The area in which Yanya perhaps feels that split most keenly is while performing live.
Its a totally different part of me, but its still me.
Its weird, because sometimes you dont feel anything when youre on stage, and sometimes you do.
I guess its about finding a balance.
Because otherwise, after a while, you might feel like a shell.
By not working with other people, you only really have to care about each others opinions.
(Fittingly, the music video features Yanya as a runaway bride.)
Despite the records darker moments, then, does Yanya seeMy Method Actoras something ultimately hopeful?
Yeah, I think it is, she says after a pause.
I think its looking forward, and I wanted it to feel open-ended.
I keep thinking about the album as a journeyand its like you just keep going, going, going…
