New from William Ryan Key (Yellowcard): Stream the Experimental/Ambient “Brighton” (Solo EP in February)

It’s been four years since pop/punk band Yellowcard called it a career with a series of triumphant farewell gigs — and front man William Ryan Key is ready to get back to music.

Next month, Key will release a new solo EP titled Everything Except Desire, his third solo EP to date and the first since 2018. It’s coming out on Equal Vision Records on Feb. 11. He’s previewed it thus far with a pair of songs, and judging by the disparate sounds explored on each, he’s ready for some new, exciting musical adventures.

Here’s a new track, “Brighton,” which spans six minutes in length and is a layered, synth-backed experience unlike anything he’s released thus far:

“I wondered if it was too far removed from the music people expect to hear from me,” said Key of the song in a statement. “The more I pondered it, the more I realized that it might be, and that it was ok if it was … This one is for driving at night with nowhere specific to go.”

It joins the sprawling “Face in a Frame,” which was shared last month as the first preview of the new EP and at times calls to mind the experimental leanings of the band Mutemath:

A news release notes that Everything Except Desire finds Key exploring some deep personal topics, including mental health and emotional toxicity.

“I wanted to figure out why I let things happen to me. I allowed myself to be vulnerable for the wrong reasons, and I needed to understand that.”

The EP track listing:

1. The Swim Back
2. Face in a Frame
3. Brighton
4. Heavens
5. Union Chapel