James Arthur has released the third single from his forthcoming album ‘Bitter Sweet Love’.
Just Us follows previous hits Blindside and A Year Ago, with the ballad reflecting a newfound maturity and perspective from the singer since becoming a first-time dad last year.
“Just Us is a song in which I confess to running away from what really matters and getting lost in the pursuit of validation from external things,” James explains. “It’s about chasing a hedonistic, hollow life.
“Realising the true meaning of life which is of course about true love, loving ourselves, our families and our communities and being there for them.”
Listen to Just Us below.
‘Bitter Sweet Love’ is the latest LP from the hitmaker and was conceived with Steve Solomon, with whom he co-wrote his 2016 megahit, Say You Won’t Let Go.
“The more albums you make and the more success you have, the more the pressure tends to be upon you,” James shared in a press release. “But I genuinely felt like a kid again, just making music I loved, not worried about trying to please everyone.”
Since winning ‘The X Factor’ in 2012 and topping the charts with his cover of Shontelle’s Impossible, James has scored four UK Top 10 albums, with 2016’s ‘Back From The Edge’ hitting No. 1 and going Top 40 Stateside.
He released his most-recent project, ‘It’ll All Make Sense In The End’, in 2021; a lockdown record, produced at home, that leant heavily on programmed beats.
‘Bitter Sweet Love’ is out January 26 and available to pre-order now.
In support of the LP, Arthur will hit the road early next year for a massive run of shows across the UK and Europe, launching in January in Hamburg and playing across the continent before arriving in Dublin on March 3 and continuing across the UK March 16, with a final stop at London’s Wembley Arena.
“Can’t wait for you all to see the show,” said James in a post on X. “Thank you so much for your support, can’t wait to see you all out there.”
Tickets are on sale now. The full list of tour dates is below.
JANUARY 2024
26 – Sporthalle, Hamburg
27 – Palladium, Cologne
29 – Cirque Royal, Brussels
30 – Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt
FEBRUARY 2024
2 – Zenith, Munich
4 – Volkshaus, Zurich
5 – Fabrique, Milan
7 – Den Atelier, Luxembourg
8 – Le Trianon, Paris
11 – Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht
13 – Vega Main Hall, Copenhagen
15 – Filadelflia, Stockholm
16 – Sentrum Scene, Oslo
19 – Columbiahalle, Berlin
20 – Stodola, Warsaw
22 – Forum Karlin, Prague
24 – Gasometer, Vienna
25 – Barba Negra, Budapest
MARCH 2024
3 – 3Arena, Dublin
5 – International Centre, Bournemouth
6 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
8 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield
9 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle
10 – Connexin Live, Hull
13 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
15 – AO Arena, Manchester
16 – OVO Wembley Arena, London
