Singer-songwriter James Bourne has been amplifying anticipation for the July 1st release of his new album ‘Sugar Beach’ with a succession of sun-kissed tropical pop songs which explore his experiences of being stuck alone in St. Lucia during lockdown. Returning home to the UK, he played shows across the country during a recent tour which saw him perform songs from the album to packed rooms and rapturous receptions. James keeps that momentum at fever pitch as he now shares his new single ‘X-Man’ along with an official video. Watch HERE.
‘X-Man’ sees James put his own modernist spin to some throwback R&B / pop crossover flavour, the song’s lilting melody and sunbathed beats embedding itself within your mind after just one listen. That tranquil, holiday soundtrack groove provides the backdrop for a lyric which comes from a far more introspective place. As with the rest of the ‘Sugar Beach’ album, ‘X-Man’was a collaboration with James’s friend John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, Jonas Brothers).
James says, “This song is about recognising change in yourself and embracing it. The video recaptures the tropical solitude which was the inspiration for the songwriting process across the whole album.”
The accompanying ‘X-Man’ video continues the ‘Sugar Beach’ saga that first started with the visual for the album’s title track. Adding a next level cinematic sheen to the series, the ‘X-Man’ visual presents a disrupted narrative mystery which only reveals its full story at its denouement. Expanding the song’s theme of questioning one’s identity, it shows James alone within the stunning natural scenery of St. Lucia. But as he scribbles notes to himself and plays guitar under a waterfall, it begins to feel as if his sanity is beginning to become warped by his solitude. Eagle eyes might also spot James’s very own Wilson, a regular visual motif throughout the series.
The video was directed by Liam Hooper and was based on a concept he developed with Vicky Wheeler.
‘X-Man’ is the latest taste of the pop, R&B and soul stylings that James explores throughout the album. Its stories reflect James’s time on St. Lucia, covering extreme loneliness (‘Alone In Paradise’), considering what’s important in life (‘Samo’), and wishing death on the relentless bloodsuckers that plague paradise (‘Mosquito’).
James will sign all physical formats of ‘Sugar Beach’ which are pre-order from his official store.
A one-man hit-writing machine, James Bourne is one of the most successful songwriters of his generation. Best known for his phenomenal multi-Platinum success with Busted, James has landed five UK #1 smashes and several more Top 10 hits, while his other credits include McFly, McBusted, Son of Dork, the Jonas Brothers, 5 Seconds of Summer and The Vamps. ‘Sugar Beach’ will be his second solo album after 2020’s ‘Safe Journey Home’.
