James Yuill released Turning Down Water For Air a little over a year ago. It was a clever mix of elements of electronica and acoustic sounds, with a cutesy love story running through it. His live shows were rather excellently executed, flitting between knob-twiddling and out and out guitar-led singalongs.  He’s been all over the world since then, but there’s been little in the way of new material.But, lo and behold, he’s returned! Well sort of.Earth & Fire EP is essentially an ‘alternate’ version of his original album. A remix album, if you will, but remixed by James Yuill. Proving just what a malleable, versatile chap he is, and exploring the ways that music can be manipulated, he’s flipped Turning Down Water For Air”“ turning the programmed, harder, dance led tracks into laid-back acoustic numbers, and vice versa. The results are certainly interesting, challenging interpretations of the original tracks, and create two completely contrasting moods from the original album.The Earth EP opens with 'Left Handed Girl', which uses an accordion to mimic the seeping sound of the vocals perfectly, with soft percussion in the background, setting up the mood perfectly. ‘No Pins Allowed’ is given a free reign, wandering from a bluesy guitar breakdown to a traditional acoustic number, and finished with a reggae flourish.‘This Sweet Love’, undoubtedly James’ most well-known tune, is given a glorious glockenspiel makeover (well, xylophone actually, but then it wouldn’t be alliteration), sounding like a dance track recreated on ‘proper’ instruments ”“ stabbing bass notes on a piano, synth loop on a xylophone, and layered vocals for background sounds. It’s clever, but the charm of the song is somewhat lost, with perhaps just one too many instruments overpowering it.A couple of tracks later, the acoustic stylings are beginning to wear a bit thin. Luckily, it’s all change, as 'Breathing In' segues from acoustic ambience to electronic ambience, as we head downbeat, and floaty with sonic sounds overhead. Occasionally we stray into rave territory ”“ particularly in 'Head Over Heals', with lyrics about cups of tea and yawning contrast brilliantly with the intense, face-paced synth sounds.All in all, and interesting and brave idea ”“ the way James Yuill views his work as constantly transforming ideas that can be given many different moods and sounds is something no doubt many musicians would be too precious to try. As a stand-alone collection of songs though, it’s on an even keel with Turning Down Water for Air ”“ it’s only when heard one after they other that this format can really be appreciated.

Buy the EP on Amazon | [itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/no-surprise-earth-version/id339724048?uo=4" title="James_Yuill-Turning_Down_Water_for_Air_(Fire_Earth_Version)_(Album)" text="iTunes"]