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“This isn’t the record I intended to make.” 

For Nathan Jenkins, it’s less a regret than a revelation. His latest album, Nearly, began with one simple idea: no more songs. It ended up elsewhere.

 

Nearly arrives two years after Jenkins’ previous album as Bullion, Affection, which continued the collaborative spirit that’s defined his work across the decade. His reputation for warm, intricate production has made him an in-demand producer to artists on the adventurous side of electronic alt-pop. This year’s Written into Changes by Avalon Emerson & The Charm, co-written and produced by Jenkins, adds to a run of credits that includes Nilüfer Yanya, Westerman, Ben Howard and Oliver Sim of The xx. 

 

While Affection was characterised by appearances from Carly Rae Jepsen and Panda Bear, Nearly centres Jenkins’ vocals ever more deliberately. The album’s sole guest feature comes from Whitley Bay-hailing artist, L Devine, who performs on Francis Ford and The Arm of Cinderella. A cast of musicians, including Ethan P. Flynn, lend colour to the instrumentation.

 

Applying the lessons learned from his work with others, Jenkins reveals a more private side on Nearly. In its sonic framing is an impulse towards contemporary pop, bringing together the melodic sensibility, synth-craft and emotional directness that have informed his songwriting to date. “There’s a window of opportunity to record these songs and it’s closing”, Jenkins reflects on the eventuality of making an album as starry eyed as Nearly.