James Adrian Brown Releases Sidestep Ahead of Debut Solo Album

Castles In Space schedules January 30 release for Forever Neon Lights.

James Adrian Brown has released a new single, ‘Sidestep’, anticipating his debut solo album Forever Neon Lights. The record is scheduled for release on January 30, 2026, via Castles In Space, appearing on limited 12″ gatefold vinyl and digital platforms. This follows the October release of the single ‘Generator’ and continues the former Pulled Apart By Horses guitarist’s shift toward instrumental electronic composition.

JAMES ADRIAN BROWN
Title: Forever Neon Lights
Artist: James Adrian Brown
Release Date: 2026-01-30
Genres: Ambient, Electronica, Experimental Music
Label: Castles In Space
Description: James Adrian Brown releases "Sidestep" ahead of his debut electronic album Forever Neon Lights, out Jan 30, 2026, on Castles In Space.

‘Sidestep’ is accompanied by remixes from KLSR, Kayla Painter, and (O) Naut. Regarding the track, Brown describes an intention to replicate the sensation of “gears shifting under your feet,” focusing on the instability and subsequent recalibration of momentum. The sound is constructed through analogue synthesis, tape loops, and piano, reflecting a production approach that prioritizes physical hardware over digital processing.

The upcoming album, produced in collaboration with James Mottershead, draws thematic focus from Brown‘s childhood recollections of the Blackpool Illuminations. The record uses these artificial lights as a central motif for exploring memory and creative persistence, citing influences such as Boards of Canada, Rival Consoles, and Thom Yorke. The material moves between pulsing electronics and ambient textures, intending to mirror the “dazzling, unending” nature of the light display.

Brown was a founding member and guitarist of the Leeds-based alternative rock band Pulled Apart By Horses, with whom he released four studio albums between 2010 and 2017 before departing in 2022. Following the dissolution of his role in the group, he established a solo practice during the 2020 lockdowns, releasing the Terra Incognita EP in 2024. Outside of his own material, Brown has maintained a presence in production, most notably co-producing Benefits‘ 2025 album Constant Noise, alongside remix work for artists including Hayden Thorpe and Blood Red Shoes.

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