Starsailor frontman James Walsh is set to take his ever-growing solo career to new heights with the release of his new album ‘It’s All Happening’ on January 30th. He has previewed the record with a selection of new songs, including his current single ‘I Can’t Keep Myself From Loving You’.
‘It’s All Happening’ proves that the personal, vulnerable songwriting on which he made his name is as strong as ever – but on this occasion, its stripped-back sound only amplifies the intensity of its emotion. His themes throughout flow very naturally between a wealth of inspirations – from personal feelings to photography to places to current affairs. Yet regardless of the topic, his songs are infused with instantly relatable experiences.
James says, “This is one of the most thoughtful, lyrical albums I’ve ever made. When I listen back to some of the old Starsailor songs I’m really proud of them because they resonated with a lot of people. But at that age you’re the centre of your own world. You become much more aware of the things you say and how they affect other people. And when you do become more settled, life’s ups and downs are completely different to what they were. You start to look outward for inspiring stories of other people’s lives to inform your lyrics as well.”
His current single, ‘I Can’t Keep Myself From Loving You’, takes a personal, reflective angle as he addresses the insecurity of feeling as if you’re not good enough as a new relationship flourishes.
He adds, “I think most people, unless they’re supremely confident, always have that doubt of, ‘Is this really happening?’ That’s a place that’s in my past, but it’s very easy to recall.”
Other inspirations flourish at every turn, each interpreted in distinctive, highly relatable styles. ‘Coney Island’ uses a strikingly romantic photograph from Bruce Davidson as the roots for a story of both hope and nostalgia; he uses ‘Poole’s Cavern’ in Derbyshire as the location for the tale of someone escaping into solitude; and ‘Firefly Moments’ draws from Abi Morgan’s ‘Not A Pity Memoir ’in the way it conveys feeling a spark of connection that reminds of you what someone has lost following dementia.
Elsewhere, there’s also ‘The Great Northwest’, which sees the lifelong Liverpool FC fan document how the community came together to support each other after a car was driven into the crowd during the club’s 2025 title celebrations. He also nods to Bob Dylan with ‘Rachel’, which tells Rachel Corrie’s story: a young peace activist who was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer while trying to defend a Palestinian family home from being demolished.
The record was entirely written, produced and performed by James at his home studio. It’s the product of the creative liberation of being able to record whenever the moment strikes, being the only musician in the room, and having the time and growing production expertise to shape the songs’ atmosphere in any direction he likes.
In the early 2000s, James Walsh and Starsailor achieved so much so young. Boosted by a succession of hit singles, their Platinum-certified debut ‘Good Souls’ became one of the biggest UK albums of its era. More remarkable moments followed, from winning an NME Award to supporting The Rolling Stones and some short-lived recording sessions with Phil Spector. His solo work provides an intimate DIY counterpoint to the louder dynamics, towering scale and collaborative work of the band.
Live shows are an essential aspect of James Walsh’s solo work, and he already has the following dates confirmed with much more to come – please see HERE for tickets.
DECEMBER
27th – Stockport, The Strines Nightingale
30th – London, Half Moon Putney
JANUARY
15th – Cheltenham, Dom Joly’s Speakeasy
16th – Isle of Wight, Strings
FEBRUARY
7th – Oldham, Shure Studios
28th – Winchester, The Railway
MARCH
15th – Lincoln, Jolly Brewer
28th – Winchester, The Railway
JUNE
3rd – Cheshire, Britfest
JULY
25th – Devon, Altitude Festival
AUGUST
28th-30th – Portsmouth, Victorious Festival
‘It’s All Happening’ tracklist:
‘At The End of Everything’
‘Moving Target’
‘Shadows’
‘I Can’t Keep Myself From Loving You’
‘The Great Northwest’
‘Coney Island’
‘Broken Days’
‘Rachel’
‘Tea and Sympathy’
‘Poole’s Cavern’
‘Firefly Moments’
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