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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 and the Jonas Brothers.

Now James shares the news that his new solo album ‘Sugar Beach’ will be released on July 1st. He also builds anticipation for the album’s release by sharing the new single ‘Alone In Paradise’.

The situation that James wrote the ‘Sugar Beach’ album in was an experience of a lifetime – but also one that you’d never want to repeat. Ironically as James prepared to release his debut solo album ‘Safe Journey Home’, he didn’t make it back home to Los Angeles. As the pandemic hit and travel restrictions were imposed, James became stranded in the Caribbean. Bored and alone in a beautiful, picture-postcard resort, James naturally spent most of his time writing songs.

James says, “When I realised I was going to be stranded, all I could do was make the best of the situation. It was the first time I had been in the Caribbean and suddenly I was going to be staying there for far longer than I expected. In many ways I was lucky: if you’re going to be stranded, where would be better? But being so alone I began to think, will I ever make it home?”

The result was an album which infuses his pop-leaning singer-songwriter style with an evocative island sound and hints of R&B and soul. The songs playfully capture the juxtaposition of being marooned in paradise without anyone to share it with. His experience is succinctly captured in the opening words of his new single ‘Alone in Paradise’: “Another table for one again / Another scoop of the same ice cream / One lonely car ride to bed and then / Wake up and repeat.”

In contrast, the song’s video depicts that time in a lighter-hearted style, as James attempts to play table tennis and Connect Four alone before befriending his own Wilson. Just like Tom Hanks in ‘Castaway’.

Watch the video for ‘Alone in Paradise’ – BELOW:

The album’s title track provides a taste of what to expect from the record. It’s a hazy, sun-kissed groove full of gentle acoustic guitar, soothing synths and James’s sweet, melodic vocal. His words paint a picture of his highs and lows: the beauty of the island and the calming sounds of the wildlife, countered by the sheer loneliness of the experience.

James subsequently recorded ‘Sugar Beach’ with his friend, the producer/mixer John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, Jonas Brothers).

James Bourne will preview ‘Sugar Beach’ by embarking upon a UK headline tour which starts next week. Remaining tickets for the shows, listed below, are available HERE.

APRIL
19th – Glasgow, King Tuts
20th – Birmingham, O2 Academy 3
21st – London, Omeara
23rd – Manchester, Factory 251
25th – Bristol, Thekla

‘Sugar Beach’ tracklist:

1. ‘Gateway’
2. ‘X-Man’
3. ‘Samo’
4. ‘Sugar Beach’
5. ‘Mosquito’
6. ‘Alone In Paradise’
7. ‘Life Is Short’
8. ‘High’
9. ‘Zero Stress’
10. ‘Cat Got Your Breakfast’
11. ‘Beautiful Girls Are The Loneliest’