Doves' Jez Williams talks debut solo album 'Life Of Me And You': "It feels like destiny is coming to its starting point"

Jez Williams, the guitarist who once kept the Manchester indie scene humming with Doves, just dropped a solo album that feels like a personal manifesto. He’s been grinding on Life Of Me And You between Doves tours, and now the record is out on 26 February 2027. The first single, “Hollow Man,” already shows a heavier, groove‑driven edge that’s a departure from the band’s signature psych‑melancholy vibe.

When Jimi Goodwin stepped back from touring in 2024 to focus on mental health, the Williams brothersJez and his twin Andytook the front‑man roles. That shift gave Jez space to explore his own musical voice. He told NME he “really like[s] expressing myself in a different way” and that the album was a “real labour of love.” The idea was simple: make something that felt personal yet relatable, something that didn’t sound like Doves but still resonated with their fans.

The record is a collage of sounds: Lou Reed’s raw lyricism, UFOs’ spacey riffs, 60s pop swagger, Balearic chill, and slow disco. “Hollow Man” is described as an AC/DC meets glam psych stomp, a sonic snapshot of the digital age’s “tsunamis of information.” It’s a track that captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by data and opinions, yet still finding a groove.

Jez admits that many Doves tunes go through a filter of Andy and Jimi before they’re released. For his solo work, he wanted to “go into that headspace consciously” and avoid sounding “remotely Doves-like.” He worked intensely to carve out a distinct sound, yet kept it true to his own style. The result is an album that feels like a conversation with himself, a space where he can experiment without the band’s collective expectations.

He’s already performed solo shows supporting Elbow in Manchester to celebrate Asleep In The Back. These gigs are a testing ground for the new material and a chance to gauge audience reaction. Looking ahead, Jez hints at more solo projects while still keeping the door open for Doves’ future releases.

The takeaway? Jez Williams is stepping out of the shadow of a legendary band to claim his own narrative. The album is evidence of the power of personal authenticity in music. And for fans, it’s a fresh, bold direction that promises more surprises down the line.