A BOLTON singer is celebrating the launch of a new album as he sets out with a refreshed image.

Fans of Bolton bands will have known Alex Brierley as the frontman of four-piece Yiyan.

However, the vocalist and musician is setting out on a new journey as Alex James and the Sound alongside launching new album, What Are We?

The alternative-rock group is recording pieces written by the Alex, aged 19, from Horwich, and has already enjoyed taking to the stage around the UK and at home.

Alex said: “I’m really enjoying it. I’ve written all the songs and worked on it myself.

“The whole album tells the story of everything that has happened in the past two years and where I’ve been with it.

“I’m usually just a guitarist and vocalist, but for the recording I played all the instruments. It was a collection of older songs, but after this I have some new stuff coming which is a bit more ‘pop-ee’ and electronic.”

Alex has been making his own music since the age of 12 after learning to play instruments, including guitar, bass guitar, drums, violin and viola.

As a sixth former at St Joseph’s RC High School he joined Yiyan which recorded the song Place Of Nowhere for UNICEF and made the headlines last year after discovering a stowaway refugee in the boot of their car while returning from a visit to the Calais “jungle” camp.

But the band split soon after, due to creative differences, and Alex continued with manager Mick Watson.

Since coming together with a backing band at the start of the year, Alex James and the Sound has gone on to support ’90s favourites Space.

The indie rockers from Liverpool, famous for hits like Female Of The Species, returned after a six year hiatus to take on a UK tour which saw Alex supporting the band for six months, performing in venues from Salford to Southport.

They also supported Scouting for Girls and Reverend and the Makers at the first Bolton Live concerts in August.

Alex said: “It was a really good night. There were quite a lot of people and it was great to play alongside bands who have had a lot of success and to be able to support them.”

The group is looking for new musicians, including lead guitar and bass, to help start building up towards the next album.

n To find out more visit alexjamesandthesound.com.