A first review of X Factor star James Arthur’s new album Back from the Edge
Another No.1 beckons to cap off the comeback of the year!
JAMES ARTHUR’s thought his career was dead when SIMON COWELL axed him from his record label in 2014.
Two years on he has made up with the X Factor boss, re-signed to Syco and become the biggest-selling British singles artist of 2016.
It is fitting, then, that his comeback album Back From The Edge is all about one thing — redemption.
The opening track of the same name confirms James’ return to glory.
It’s a punchy, powerful and passionate pop song which spells out James’ statement for the record: he was on the brink but now he’s back where he belongs.
The hook of the James Bond theme-inspired hit goes: “Back from the edge, back from the dead, back from the demons that took control of my head.”
Just to hammer home the sentiment, one song is titled Phoenix where he sings about rising from the ashes.
It has been a rough ride for James and on Prisoner he compares the last 24 months of his life to a jail sentence.
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He says: “I tried so hard to change, but the devil’s on my door, I wear these heavy chains around my neck like a prisoner.”
When James hit rock bottom he was battling deep mental health issues and self-medicating himself with marijuana and prescription drugs.
But during his lowest point he produced what he believes is one of the best songs he has ever recorded, Trainwreck.
His emotion spills out in eerie piano-led track, in which he sings: “I’m ready to die, pull me out of the trainwreck.”
As well as cathartic tracks the album is littered with love songs.
Safe Inside and Let Me Love The Lonely show a soft side to James’ hard edge, while Can I Be Him is straight from the ED SHEERAN textbook of guitar ballads.
James is truly singing for his life on this album, out this Friday, and his vocals have never sounded better — best showcased in the brilliantly dark Sermon and spine-tingling Remember Who I Was.
Another No1 beckons to cap off the comeback of the year.
James Arthur - Back From The Edge is out on Friday.
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