Who? After issuing a handful of EPs and two albums under the Levy moniker, Vermont native and longtime Brooklynite James Levy goes it alone for Yvel (Levy spelled backwards). On his forthcoming self-titled debut, which arrives Feb. 12 via One Little Indian, the 27-year-old singer/songwriter offers soft vocals and soothing acoustic guitar with sample string arrangements.

What's the Deal? Nearly every tune on Yvel was penned seven years ago, and Yvel describes the brooding pop collection as lyrical ditties sans drums. "They're like bedroom songs that you sing to your girlfriend when everyone else is trying to sleep," Yvel explains. From the lilting monotone dreamscape "Painted Red" to the sunny love ballad "Burn Like Fire," Yvel's touching delivery breaks and soothes a few bruised hearts à la Morrissey and Luna's Dean Wareham. Ultimately, Levy would truly love a Yvel performance to be a "grand event" accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra, which occurs only four times a year. Levy quips, "I feel like I could do really well in Italy or something."

Fun Fact: After a British music fan described Levy's former band as Coldplay backed by the Strokes, Levy was so bummed out that he scrapped the whole project and took eight months off to recover. 

Now Hear This:
Yvel - "Painted Red" DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web:
Yvel at MySpace

Talk: Yvel or Levy?