Jez Williams has spent more than three decades working inside established band setups. Music fans know his playing from Sub Sub in the nineties, the expansive reach of Doves, and Black Rivers, the project he formed alongside his twin brother Andy Williams back in 2012. For the first time, however, he is stepping away from the collective dynamic. His debut solo record, titled Life Of Me And You, is scheduled for release on Friday, February 26, 2027. It offers an opportunity to see what happens when personal musical ideas are allowed to breathe without the consensus normally required when writing with a group.
The first preview arrives with Hollow Man, a single powered by an unexpected mix of styles. Built around a stomping rhythm, the track joins glam psych textures with the straightforward drive of AC/DC. Rather than opting for quiet reflection, Williams confronts modern communication by leaning straight into a heavy groove. Lyrically, the song reacts to an environment saturated by digital noise, touching on the relentless churn of online updates, conflicting opinions, and the sheer speed of everyday life.
That single offers a taste of an eclectic record that looks well beyond the guitarist's typical territory. Across Life Of Me And You, Williams has drawn from a diverse set of touchstones, listing Lou Reed, UFOs, Balearic chill, stylish sixties pop, and slow disco among the record's reference points. The collection did not come together in a single burst. Williams pieced it together gradually over several years, using downtime between Doves tours and recording sessions. He felt a steady pull to build something apart from the melancholic psychedelia associated with his main group, treating the record as a personal necessity he had to clear out of his system.
Working alone demanded an entirely different creative routine. In Doves, song ideas are filtered through Andy Williams and singer bassist Jimi Goodwin, reshaped by three distinct personalities. On his own, Williams followed his instincts without compromise. While he admits that his natural melodic habits will remain familiar to long term listeners, he made a conscious choice to avoid leaning on the usual Doves blueprint, shaping an identity tailored to his solo material.
A significant portion of the confidence behind the venture emerged during a testing period on the road. Following the release of the 2024 Doves album Constellations For The Lonely, Goodwin stepped back from touring to focus on his mental health. Rather than cancelling the live run, the Williams brothers and Goodwin agreed to keep the shows going, with the twins stepping forward to share lead vocal duties across the tour. Fronting the band night after night gave Williams the stage composure and vocal nerve he needed to see this solo ambition through to the finish line.
Live dates for the solo project will begin in Manchester, where Williams will support Elbow at shows celebrating their album Asleep In The Back. While Doves have paused their live calendar for now, the trio are still very much active behind closed doors. Work on their seventh studio album has already quietly started, with three or four tracks underway and Goodwin participating in the studio sessions. As that partnership continues, Williams has finally carved out the room to speak entirely in his own voice.
