Manchester band James has appointed designer Adam Rix to create new album artwork following a four-way pitch.

Rix, who was creative head at Love before going freelance last year, is collaborating with Manchester agency The Neighbourhood to bring his idea to life across a number of James releases this year.

The first glimpse of the work can be seen on James's new album, The Night Before (pictured), which is released on 19 April. But Rix and the Neighbourhood say this is just the start and the creative concept will take "twists and turns" as more new material from the band is released this year.

Rix said: "I'm really excited to have been appointed to work with James on this project, the forthcoming artwork is going to be quite an interesting take on theming a years worth of various activity for the band, and there was nobody better to bring the concept to life than The Neighbourhood. It's going to be great to watch the concept grow – literally."

James guitarist Larry Gott added: "Adam’s cover concept and design achieves exactly what we set out to achieve. It’s intriguing and inhabits a space that is neither organic nor inorganic, it keeps people guessing and now comes with an added hint of 'what happens next?'"