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With Moving Single “Right Side” Out Today on Red Bull Records
After two months of activity that has firmly put him on the map, standout South-London R&B artist James Vickery today announced his brand-new studio album, “JAMES.” will arrive on September 12th via Red Bull Records.
With that also comes the next single “Right Side”, where we hear, quite literally, a different side of Vickery – a bold slice of groove-laden pop with a hidden meaning. “I love the idea of something being disguised as a love song, so this was inspired by the fact that I always have to be on the left side of someone due to my deafness,” he explains. The single is accompanied by a video directed by Cully Wright, featuring an excerpt of sound at the beginning that mimics the way James hears the world through his impairment.
“Right Side” follows James’s recent stunning comeback singles “Butter“ & “Hotel Lobby“, that have received praise across the board with support fromBBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, The Independent and more.
Joining forces with longtime collaborator JD Reid (Mahalia, Mabel, Sinead Harnett), producer Larrance Dopson (Kendrick Lamar, Ella Mai, Justin Timberlake) and Grammy-nominated LA songwriter/composer Jonah Christian (Beyonce, Normani, Tems), his stunning new album is a remarkably assured statement – one that introduces a whole new sound to his audience.
“JAMES. is an album that I always wanted to make but I never knew how to”, says Vickery. “This is the first time in my life I’ve made music with no restrictions or felt the pressure to please anyone. In this album you will find everything from emotional heart-wrenching ballads to upbeat funk-driven summery bangers. I feel like this album captures every essence that makes up the different components of myself. It’s the most true, raw and authentic reflection of me, James.”
James is completely deaf in one ear due to a life-threatening cholesteatoma diagnosed at the age of eight. A vocal coach, initially brought in to help him with his speech, soon discovered his astonishing singing ability. His documentary Louder offered a candid glimpse into his experiences while shedding light on his identity and heritage as the son of a Welsh father and South African mother. “Something I realised a while ago was that a lot of people didn’t necessarily understand where the music comes from,” Vickery shares. “I had a story that I was always a little bit ashamed of, which is sad in a way, but there was never much representation for people with my condition in the music industry.”
Vickery has a rare gift for transforming deeply personal experiences into universally resonant music. His sense of resilience and catharsis is especially clear on forthcoming songs like “Fall In Your Arms”, a poignant ballad underscored by somber piano chords, where he pleads for just a moment more of closeness. Unafraid to explore new sonic territory, Vickery steps confidently outside his comfort zone on “Higher”, a buoyant, Eighties-inspired anthem where shimmering synths and a soaring chorus showcase his vocal range and optimism.
Together, these tracks form the core of an album Vickery calls his most authentic yet, blending classic R&B, Seventies funk, soul, and the pop sounds of the late Nineties and early 2000s that shaped him. That organic energy is palpable throughout – a bold, emotionally rich statement from an artist fully embracing who he is.
James has built an impressive career to date. His breakthrough COLORS SHOW has racked up nearly 40 million views, and collaborations with SG Lewis, EARTHGANG, Kojey Radical, Musiq Soulchild, and Kenny Beats, as well as support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, The Fader, Clash and Complex, has cemented his reputation as a standout voice in R&B. Once driven by a need for acceptance, James has now embraced his truth.
“I don’t want to be a sad story,” Vickery affirms. “I’m very proud of going through what I have and coming out the other side.”
JAMES. Album Tracklist
1. Hotel Lobby
2. Butter
3. Like That (ft. BIA)
4. All In
5. Right Side
6. Miss A Thing
7. You & I (Interlude)
8. ILU
9. Better Days
10. Higher
11. Hanging On
12. Fall In Your Arms
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