Yttling Jazz releases brand-new original single, “Distant Star”, featuring Yukimi of Little Dragon on vocals.
The collaboration brings together Björn Yttling’s vibrant alt-pop and cinematic jazz language and Yukimi’s unmistakable voice, marking a rare meeting point between two Swedish talents. The result is an adventurous, upbeat track, which blends an indie voodoo atmosphere à la New Orleans leisurely in brass melodies that are rooted in rhythm and quiet emotional weight.
The single arrives ahead of a very first time in London for Yttling Jazz , a live performance at The Jazz Cafe on 2nd March. The show offers a chance to experience the project in full form, with the depth, dynamics, and physicality that sit at the heart of the music. At the piano Yttling steers the group through tightly composed themes and open improvisation – an immersive jazz set where every player is given room to stretch.
“Distant Star” carries a restless energy and a physical sense driven by percussion and brass, while leaving space for Yukimi’s distinctive vocal to lead the emotional grace of the song.
Earlier in 2025, Yttling Jazz released his sophomore album “Illegal Hit” on YEAR0001, a record that reintroduced Yttling Jazz as a fully realised and expressive body of work.
Led by Björn Yttling, known globally for his work as one third of iconic indie trio Peter Bjorn and John alongside his extensive production and songwriting career, Yttling Jazz is his long-standing jazz project and creative home. Shaped by his early musical training and lifelong relationship with jazz, the project is filtered through decades of work across pop, indie, and alternative music with acts like Lykke Li, Robyn, Franz Ferdinand, Primal Scream, Chrissie Hynde, First Aid Kit, The Hives, Sarah Blasko and many others.
Speaking on the collaboration, Björn Yttling says:
“This song came out of a track we recorded for the ‘Illegal Hit’ album. It mainly had toms and tap shoes (!) but no real melody. Idea was to have a great singer and making a Gene Krupa plays Swedish indie kind of tune. I worked on the melody meanwhile trying to come up with a singer that would fit the vibe. Once I got the idea to bring in Yukimi it all happened very fast. We planned the whole thing and wrote the lyrics over the phone. And…I knew that she was good, but I didn’t know she was THIS good. The bass clarinet by Nils Berg is an awesome feature and we topped it off with some beautiful growling trumpet by Tobias Wiklund.” Björn Yttling, Yttling Jazz
Yukimi is best known as the co-founder and vocalist of Little Dragon, the Grammy-nominated group whose influence stretches across electronic, soul, pop, and experimental music. Across several albums with the band, she has built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music, alongside collaborations with artists including Gorillaz, Kaytranada, Big Boi (of Outkast), De La Soul, DJ Shadow, SBTRKT, and BADBADNOTGOOD.
Her critically acclaimed debut solo album “For You” (2025) marks a new chapter, exploring independence, intimacy and creative freedom, with “Distant Star” sitting naturally within that wider arc.
Yukimi adds:
“I’ve loved Björn’s production for years also a fan of Peter Bjorn And John. He reached out to me at a time in my life when I felt open to sing a jazz track. This one has the fire and newness still paying tribute to classic sound. In my opinion jazz music should be danced to and that’s what this songs makes me want to do.” Yukimi
“Distant Star” is a song alive with warmth, tension and a skilful use of free-flowing drama that runs through both artists’ work.
“Distant Star” is out now.
