British singer-songwriter James Arthur is finally back with his highly anticipated fourth studio album, It’ll All Make Sense In The End.
Having written and recorded bulk of the songs during the lockdown in the comforts of his home, the versatile hitmaker spent some time ruminating on the changes in his personal life, while using it as inspiration for his music-making journey. This enabled him and his collaborators to work on their own convenient time, round the clock, but not to the clock.
“And all of a sudden, the music started sounding great,” the former X Factor UK winner shares in a statement. “From day one there was a sound that I wanted to go for. Even early on, it sounded like a real album, a proper body of work. This is the first time I’ve made an album all in one place and you can hear this in the music. There’s something really comfortable about working in your own home – I was able to be more vulnerable than ever.”
After writing the boldly autobiographical first single “Medicine,” James and frequent collaborator Andrew Jackson (“Train Wreck”) quickly came up with “Losing You,” an anthemic electronic-rock song that’s big on heart, riffs and emotive punch.
Arthur reveals, “I wanted this album to have proper rock elements. The kind of rock I love is emo and pop-punk, so I wanted to domy take on that genre. Lyrically that song, like a lot of the songs, is the sound of someone who’s doing a lotof reflecting, a lot of processing and being really honest about where I’ve been in my head. And in that song I’m talking to myself: I feel like I’m always on the verge of losing you.”
Another important track in the album is the early keeper “Déjà Vu,” written with Jackson and Mark Crew (Bastille, Rag’n’Bone Man). Demonstrating the full range of his vocal abilities, Arthur sings, ‘You fucked me up, I can’t get enough,’ with astounding vagueness that is a bit of everything, depending on how the listeners interpret the material.
“It’s been well documented that I’ve had my issues with all of those. It’s just quite honest stuff, really,” the iconic British artist adds.
Second single “September” is also part of the album, and shines through with its no-holds-barred confessional appeal and acoustic-meets-trap sound. As vulnerably naked in his lyrics as he ever was, Arthur also isn’t afraid to sing to the next generation: “Emily” is a tender, intimate mea culpa to the daughter he might one day have.
“That arose from conversations about having kids,” the pop/rock dad explains. “Would I even be a good dad? What if they read about all the shit I’ve been through? It doesn’t matter, because ultimately I’m the guy who’s going to be there for you all your life.”
The record also includes “SOS,” which Arthur describes as an album-defining song with 30 Seconds To Mars-esque chorus and a rap flow reminiscent of Miguel.
In moving out of London, the musician has created a safe space: a working place, family place, fitness place. In building that sanctuary he’s felt even more comfortable to be even more open, not just about the things that are inspiring him but also the things that are plaguing him.
“Travelling, going to other people’s studios, doing sessions in new places – for someone like me who has a bit of social anxiety, all that was difficult,” the multi-platinum musician shares. “But working at home allowed me to be more vulnerable.”
It allowed him to finesse a sound that gels over the entire album, that process aided by additional production from Matt Rad, who’s worked with Taking Back Sunday, one of his favorite bands. He helps bring cohesion.
“The sound is very simple. It’s basically raucous guitars with trap beats and strong, strong melodies,” Rad says of a musical approach he’s been honing for years in his collaborations with superstar artists such as Ty Dolla $ign, Machine Gun Kelly and Juicy J.
To date, James Arthur has sold over 30 million records worldwide and has to date released three hugely successful albums: James Arthur (UK No. 2), Back From The Edge (UK No. 1) and YOU (UK No.2), alongside nine solo UK Top 40 singles. He’s had two No.1 smash hits and was awarded a disc for reaching a billion streams on
Spotify with ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’, the No.1 global hit that brought the singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough back from the edge (it currently has 1.7 billion streams on the platform).
James recently dominated the airwaves and charts with his storming collaboration with Sigala ‘Lasting Lover’. The track was a No.1 airplay song in the UK, No.1 on iTunes and Top 10 on the Official Singles Chart.
James has announced tours of both UK and Ireland and North America in 2022, including a date at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
James Arthur’s It’ll All Make Sense In The End is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music. For more details, check out his music website.
