British multi-instrumentalist and producer James Berkeley – formerly of neo-soul group Yakul – steps into his solo era with the announcement of his debut album Lost Boy, Golden Hour and its lead single, “Giving Me Love,” out July 4, 2025. The track, a soulful blend of jazz, dream pop, and electronica, showcases Berkeley’s signature falsetto and introspective lyricism, offering a reminder that “even at your lowest, the people closest to you can still see your best self.”
Recorded entirely solo—written, produced, performed, and mixed by Berkeley himself—Lost Boy, Golden Hour was born from a spontaneous decision in summer 2024. Since then, he’s grown his audience tenfold, amassing over 30,000 followers while refining a sound that bridges Thundercat’s groove, Japanese Breakfast’s dreaminess, and Washed Out’s haze.
No stranger to the spotlight, Berkeley has already made waves in the UK jazz and R&B scenes—from selling out Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club three times with Yakul to touring with Incognito and collaborating with Mereba. His solo work, including two EPs and a joint project with edbl (2M+ streams), has earned praise from Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music), Complex, and Earmilk.
With Lost Boy, Golden Hour, Berkeley cements his place as a genre-defiant artist—equal parts musician, producer, and storyteller.
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