main image Paul Dixon
WORDS DESH KAPUR
JAMES
YUMMY
Available Now On All DSPs And Physical Formats Via Virgin Music
James need no introduction and so it follows, and neither does their music. They are easily recognisable yet they have a knack for wearing different musical clothing every time they bring us something new and this offering entitled ‘Yummy’ their 18th studio album bears witness to this with bells on.
Icons and stalwarts of the British music scene, they have again given us tracks of envy, and brilliance with an underlying message of foreboding, Tim Booth cautioning about the state of our planet whilst also tackling subjests such as AI, ageism, mental health and mortality.
The opening track ‘Is This Love’ is very much a James classic in the making, full of sweeping strings and synths and as the title suggests contemplates the meaning of love, a big sing-along chorus all enhanced by the addition of Chloe Alper’s backing vocals, which is prevalent throughout the record adding a new dynamic into James’ music.
Electronic in its very structure, this album still carries that essence of James and vocally Tim Booth still embodies the recognisable voice of the band, emotional, distinguished and unfaltering.
There is no disguising the messages and warnings within this collection of songs, but it feels uplifting and brave, careful and deliberate and although the subject matter has touched all of us the foot tapping I still experienced when listening to these songs gave me hope and a wry smile I’m still wearing.
JAMES are: Tim Booth, Jim Glennie, Saul Davies, Adrian Oxaal, David Baynton-Power, Mark Hunter, Andy Diagram, Chloe Alper and Deborah Knox-Hewson.
8/10
YUMMY TRACK LIST
1/ Is This Love
2/ Life’s A Fucking Miracle
3/ Better With You
4/ Stay
5/ Shadow Of A Giant
6/ Way Over Your Head
7/ Mobile God
8/ Our World
9/ Rogue
10/ Hey
11/ Butterfly
12/ Folks
FOLLOW JAMES
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
