Nilüfer Yanya has announced her signing to Ninja Tune, with an exhilarating new single ‘Like I Say (I Runaway)‘, which follows her 2022 album PAINLESS. The single arrives alongside a music video directed by Yanya’s sister Molly Daniel that features Nilüfer as a runaway bride.
The song ripples with a cyclical drum machine beat and chunky riffing, her multi faceted vocals reflecting upon the moment when you realise how precious time is. Speaking more about the single’s thesis Nilüfer shares, “It’s about how you choose to spend your time. Time is like a currency, every moment. You’re never going to get it back. It’s quite an overwhelming thing to realise.”
The new single was written in collaboration with Yanya’s creative partner, Wilma Archer (Sudan Archives, MF DOOM, Celeste), with whom she’s previously collaborated on PAINLESS and her debut album Miss Universe. Throughout their creative process, a clear emphasis was placed on forming a safe musical space where creative impulses were encouraged and all perceived musical boundaries were eroded. This same process is reflected in the song’s lyrics, which emphasise unrestricted artistry and standing firm in one’s truest self as Yanya attempts to make sense of the world around her.
Nilüfer’s previous album ‘PAINLESS’ has consistently been celebrated as one of 2022’s best albums Nilüfer has also performed on She’s supported Adele, the XX and Mitski on tour, headlining London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire and selling out shows across Europe, Australia, Japan and the USA. Yanya has also been remixed by Sampha, King Krule and Little Dragon and has collaborated with Bombay Bicycle Club and Liss.
Nilüfer is a founding member of the community project Artists In Transit which takes creative workshops and other support to displaced communities and people in times of hardship.
