Hits Radio Breakfast chat to James Arthur about new track 'Medicine'
We're so glad he's back!
Fleur East and the Hits Radio Breakfast team caught up with James Arthur to chat all about his brand-new music!
James released his new single ‘Medicine’ on Friday 5th March and we’re so happy he’s back.
James’ last release was a collaboration with producer Sigala in September 2020, where he lent his vocals to the track ‘Lasting Lover’.
Last year he confirmed that he had been writing songs for a forthcoming album made at his home during the Covid-19 pandemic and ‘Medicine’ is the first of these efforts to be released.
James told Fleur, “When you start writing for a body of work, the first song is always a bit naff. You chuck that one away and keep going until you have something good, but ‘Medicine’ felt like it was a bit of an anomaly and it stuck around as being the song that everyone felt should kick off this thread of songs.”
His last album ‘You’ was released in October 2019 and included the singles ‘Falling Like the Stars’ and ‘Empty Space’. The follow up will be the X Factor winner’s fourth studio album.
He said, “I wrote the whole album in the space of around two and a half months, there was around 60 or 70 songs that came from that period of time. A song a day vibe. It was very hard to whittle it down.”
James has not only been busy on his own work, but wrote the latest collaboration between Ella Henderson and Tom Grennan, ‘Let’s Go Home Together’.
The song was originally intended for James and Ella but their own recording commitments got in the way.
James said, “It’s a shame our schedules hadn’t met as we’ve been trying to get it to work for two years to be honest. There always seems to be a roadblock to get it out and to be the right time. It nearly happened in the summer but I had committed to the Sigala song. It got to a point where I didn’t want to hold them up anymore or hold Ella back. I’m just glad it’s finally out.”
However the singer-songwriter insisted that he is keen to work with Ella again in the future when time allows and still loves the song.
He added, “We performed ‘Let’s Go Home Together’ on my arena tour a couple of years ago and all of our fans have known about it for a long time. It’s probably my proudest moment in writing. I love Ella to bits and I wish her all the best with it.”
James said that although he was happy to have a break in 2020, he misses touring and performing to his fans across the country.
He said, “I miss it so much. At first I was okay with it as I needed a break mentally and physically. I was a bit drained at the start of 2020. My health was suffering a little bit and we cleared the diary for the year to give me a bit of rest bite, before Covid came along.
“I was able to focus on myself. I thought ‘Great, there’s no gigs coming up and there’s no pressure points, I can just focus on one thing’ but I’m now at a point where I’m ready to get on the stage again.”
We hope to see James on stage again very soon!
Check out James Arthur's career timeline so far:
Career beginnings
James began writing and recording songs at the age of 15, performing as both a solo artist and in bands including Moonlight Drive, Cue the Drama, Save Arcade and Emerald Skye from 2005 to 2011.
In 2011, James wrote an album called 'Sins by the Sea' which was uploaded to social media sites, before forming The James Arthur Project and releasing EPs 'Hold On' and 'The EP Collection CD'.
2012: The X Factor
James auditioned for The X Factor in 2012, attending the auditions which took place throughout May and June that year. He sang a cover of 'Young' by Tulisa, who was on the judging panel that year, then 'A Million Love Songs' at Boot Camp - a song by fellow judge Gary Barlow's band Take That. He was in the final against Jahméne Douglas, winning the show.
2013: Debut self-titled album
James released his winners' single, a cover of 'Impossible' by Shontelle in December 2012, which hit the top spot in the UK charts. His self-titled debut album was released in November 2013 and went to Number 2 in the UK, featuring songs like 'You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You', 'Get Down' and 'Roses' featuring Emeli Sandé. In January 2014, he embarked on his first tour, the 'James Arthur Tour', performing 37 dates around Europe.
2014: Controversy and parting ways with Syco
James caused controversy after taking part in rap battles, causing Simon Cowell to say: "I think James, unfortunately, has had so many issues with what he has done publicly – which is a real issue with me... Somebody should have told him to shut up and just put the records out." In June 2014, he announced that he had parted ways with Syco by mutual agreement.
2015-2016: Signing with Columbia Records and second album
James signed a deal with Columbia Records in September 2015 and announced that a new album was on the way. His second album 'Back from the Edge' was released in October 2016, featuring songs 'Say You Won't Let Go' - which was a Number 1 single - and 'Can I Be Him'. James became the first X Factor performer to have two singles sell over a million copies in his home country.
2017: BRIT Awards nominations
In 2017, James' single, 'Say You Won't Let Go', was nominated at the BRITs for British Artist Video of the Year and British Single of the Year. He also released his single 'Naked', and attended The Grammy Museum at one of their Spotlight events after joining OneRepublic on their massive North American tour.
2018-2019: 'Rewrite the Stars' and third album 'You'
In 2018, James teamed up with Anne-Marie on their amazing cover of 'Rewrite The Stars', for The Greatest Showman: Reimagined. He also appeared on Brazilian soap opera O Tempo não Para, singing his song 'Empty Space'. James released his third album 'You' in October 2019, debuting at Number 2 in the UK, it was certified Silver.
2020: Fourth album
James revealed on Twitter in July 2020 that he was working on a fourth album, writing, 'I've been writing the new album for the last couple of months. I couldn't be more excited to share with you this new lane I'm playing around in, I think you'll be surprised in a good way. This is the album I've wanted to make for so long! #IWAMSITE.' He also worked on song 'Lasting Lover' with DJ Sigala.
2021: New singles and release of fourth album
James delighted his fans in 2021 when he dropped a number of new tracks, including 'Medicine', 'September' and 'Emily'.
The singer's fourth studio album 'It'll All Make Sense In The End' was released on Friday 5th November 2021.
2022: James releases the deluxe version of his album
On 11th March 2022, James released the deluxe version of his album 'All Make Sense In The End'. On the day of release he shared a heartfelt message to his fans saying: 'I love you all so much it hurts my heart ❤️❤️❤️❤️'.
In 2022, James also bagged the Award-Winning Song gong, for his track 'Lasting Lover' with Sigala, at the BMI London Awards.
2023: James announces collab with Alok
In January 2023, James announced he and Brazilian DJ Alok have a new song called 'Work With My Love', it was released on 13th January. The song samples 'Lola's Theme', by The Shapeshifters.
2023: James teases his fifth album
On top of that, James announced in January 2023 that not only did he have a fifth album on the way, but he was putting the finishing touches on it! Despite not letting any details slip on a release date, it certainly got fans excited for the year ahead.
2023: Big wins for James
In June 2023, James took to Instagram to celebrate some pretty huge wins! As well as bagging a Brits Billion Award from BPI, for over a billion streams in the UK, he also celebrated a diamond award, for going 10 x Platinum in America... Impressive!
Sharing a snap of him holding his shiny new awards, James wrote: 'What amazing year so far. I managed to pick up a diamond award for going 10 times platinum in America and a @brits billion award for over a billion streams in the UK alone. Thank you for all your continued support on this bizarre rollercoaster we're on.'
2023: New singles
On 12th May, James released a brand new single titled 'A Year Ago'. Fans were elated with new music from the singer.
On top of teasing his fifth album, James then announced another single on 24th July. The song, which was released date of 4th August, is called 'Blindside' and showcases a more upbeat vibe from the award-winning singer.
2023: James releases his fifth album
James took to Instagram in September 2023 to finally reveal the name and release date of his highly-anticipated fifth album. Titled 'Bitter Sweet Love', the album was released on 26th January 2024.
2023: James Arthur announces his 'Bitter Sweet Love' tour
James Arthur's 'Bitter Sweet Love' tour will see the artist perform eight UK dates as part of a wider world tour. He starts the UK leg of his tour in Bournemouth in March 2024.
2024: James Arthur releases collab with Kelly Clarkson
In April 2024, James announced he was re-releasing his album track 'From The Jump', with the one and only Kelly Clarkson. Fans loved how amazing the pair's vocals sounded together.
Now read:
Everything you need to know about James Arthur
Everything you need to know about Sigala