KEVAN O'REILLY is gearing up for the launch of his newest record, having honed his recording and mixing craft during lockdown.

Akrasia is a four-track EP, recorded entirely at home over the course of the coronavirus pandemic.

O'Reilly used the downtime wisely as he recorded three of the four tracks during the enforced break.

It also represents a huge step forward for the artist in more ways than one.

O'Reilly said: "This record is easily more ambitious, both sonically and musically than my first two EPs, which I have no plans to remove but very much represent a period in which I was still learning how to record and mix things properly.

"With Akrasia I really feel like I've landed somewhere; it should probably be considered my first record. All the tracks, except for Mantra, were recorded during lockdown. Mantra dates from around 2017/2018 - I didn't include it on my first two releases because I was still working on my production ability."

Indeed, Akrasia has been a long-time coming for O'Reilly, not just in terms of improving his producing chops but in terms of his own personal journey.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: Akrasia will be released later this monthAkrasia will be released later this month

The singer adds: "I have had a bit of a strange journey to where I currently am musically speaking. I have a degree in composition from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and have spent the last ten years as a self-employed musician playing piano bars, weddings and the like.

"Coming from humble beginnings in the east end of Glasgow I should have probably known I was never going to be accepted into the small and cliquey world of Scottish Contemporary Classical music, though that hasn't stopped me trying.

"Having gotten absolutely nowhere I resolved to be completely self-reliant with regard to my musical output.  The only problem was I had zero experience producing records.

"So, to learn, I started a YouTube channel called Flat 2 Right and if you compare season one to season four you will literally see me improve as a producer - as well as catch some great performances from some of the most talented musicians in Glasgow.

"Having gotten to a stage I can do justice to some real music, I felt ready to attempt to make Akrasia which is a record I've been thinking about making from a conceptual point of view for at least 10 years."

The musician added: "Akrasia is an ancient Greek word, it describes the state of favouring pathos over reason. Acting against your own self-interest and against your better judgement.

"The Akratic man will experience passions which conflict with his rational choice and act upon them."

Akrasia will be released everywhere on Thursday, January 28.

O'Reilly also has a range of interesting cover tracks on Soundcloud including versions of tunes from The Beatles, James Taylor, Otis Redding as well as the soundtrack to Lethal Weapon.

LISTEN: Kevan O'Reilly on Spotify or Soundcloud

WATCH: Flat 2 Right YouTube channel