I’m so excited to share my latest illustration project—creating the cover art for the new album Volte-Face by Leif Maine and Jackson Mathod, released by Def Pressé. This album is insanely good, and so I feel honoured to have been trusted with bringing its visual identity to life.
Inspiration
The album's title Volte-Face—meaning a complete reversal of attitude or opinion—became the core inspiration for the artwork. Early in the brainstorming process, the idea of an upside-down world emerged, and this concept quickly became the foundation for the piece: a surreal, gravity-defying cityscape that reflects the shifting perspectives in both the music and life itself.
I also drew inspiration from the surreal architecture of Shibam, Yemen’s mud skyscrapers, which Leif told me about during our mood-boarding sessions. These ancient, towering structures rise dramatically from the desert, creating a landscape that feels both otherworldly and grounded in reality. If you haven’t seen them, they’re definitely worth checking out! This idea also led me to think about the surreal staircases in MC Escher's work and even the final scene of The Truman Show—where the world as we know it turns out to be something entirely different.
The Creative Process
This project evolved through several stages. I started with the mood board, incorporating ideas and inspirations that I had brainstormed with the musicians. The colour palette was largely predefined, as it needed to align with the tones of the previously released singles. This presented a bit of a challenge for me, as I typically work with bright, vibrant palettes, but I embraced the muted tones and actually ended up loving the look.
Next, I moved on to rough sketches and line work, experimenting with how the concept of an inverted world could flow seamlessly across both the front and back of the vinyl cover. I aimed for the artwork to reflect the fluidity of the music—where things aren’t quite what they seem at first glance. The idea of footsteps in the sand came to me midway through, and it felt like the missing piece of the puzzle. It perfectly symbolised the transition between two worlds, representing one person's journey from one perspective to another.
Out in the world
Since the album was released, the response has been amazing; it’s gained a lot of support, including plays by Giles Peterson, appearance on Robert Elms (BBC Radio London), 4 stars in Mojo Music, Playlisted in the HUGE Jazztronica and Jazz UK Spotify, the banner on Spotify Ireland, and countless plays on Apple Music.
The vinyl is available at Rough Trade, Resident Brighton, Amazon Music, Drift Record Shop, and Picadilly Records.
And this is what people are saying:
"This emerging south London duo are masters of the surprise juxtaposition." Andy Cowan (MOJO)
"A bold new chapter in contemporary jazz," Life and Soul Magazine
I couldn't be more proud to have been part of such a creative project!
You can listen to Volte-Face now on Spotify.
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