Introduction
James Arthur’s second studio album, Back from the Edge, was released on October 28th, 2016. Coming two years after his debut project, James teased the project when he signed with Columbia Records in September of 2015. His signing to Columbia Records was following his mutual parting of ways with his prior record company, Syco. The solo single that preceded the release of the project, “Say you Won’t Let You Go,” was released a month in advance, and peaked at number one in the UK, where it stood for three weeks. Ultimately, this album gained the most traction in the UK where it hit number one and was certified platinum by the end of 2017. Giving a great kickstart to Arthur’s career, most of the hits in his discography are housed here, and this album is often seen as his best.
Production
Production on this project was headed by Alex Beitzke, with the input of a handful of other producers. For this review, we will look at the initial thirteen tracks on the project, leaving out the extra four released after the first release. The instrumentation of the album mainly features a piano, acoustic guitar, and occasionally, drums. The piano is utilized scarcely and, when used, is featured often with a similar pattern or even a one note utilization. The acoustic guitar is often used beside the piano and brings a similar feel to the songs: a sadder, quieter feel. While the drums are used very little, when they are brought in, it does add a layer of depth to the type of song James was going for.
Speaking of the type of song James was going for, each song has an interesting sound behind it. Many of the songs sound very different on Back from the Edge. While the initial listening has the listener confused as to what the true identity of the album is, upon reading more into the project, that meaning is delved into. Especially in the early stages of the project, every other song features a depressed tone with a slow tempo, while the others feature a more upbeat, rock-like feel. The point for this difference in type of song is to emphasize the up and down battle depression and addiction has on the victim, which we will delve into more here next.
James’s Story
Back from the Edge includes a very personal touch from James. This project delves into the hellish experience he had experienced starting in 2012. Starting with The X Factor in 2012, James had begun to fall in a pit of depression. The constant disapproval and negativity around him pushed him into this pit. In many of the songs, James talks about how he felt his demons were in control of him during this time and that he struggled with control. Another major topic in this project is love. Constantly, James details the thought process of love in the eyes of one with mental illness, showing his fidelity to his lover. In the end, James explains the process of finding himself again, eventually finding his way back from the edge.
Lyricism
While packing a lot of information in this project, James often does not explicitly say what he had gone through. He illustrates his life story through many different similes and metaphors, as well as allusions. His lyricism is top notch on this project and gets his message across, even if it is deep within the lines. Many of the songs allow the listener to connect to each line, like that of “Train Wreck.” This track features many well-thought lines that elicit pure emotion out of the listener. The emotion brought from James is what makes this project so unique. That being said, the project is wonderfully written with pure emotion on nearly every song that sings out from James.
Conclusion
While this project may not seem much on face value, the meaning of Back from the Edge gives it an extra layer that gives the album much more weight. The project is wonderfully crafted, and James is a wonderful musician with a wonderful vocal performance here. All in all, this album is definitely worth a listen to, but be prepared with tissues.
Song Rankings:
- “Train Wreck”
- “Can I Be Him”
- “Safe Inside”
- “Let Me Love the Lonely”
- “Say You Won’t Let Go”
- “Phoenix”
- “Sermon” (feat. SHOTTY HORROH)
- “I Am”
- “Remember Who I Was”
- “Finally”
- “Back from the Edge”
- “Sober”
- “Prisoner”
Strongest Track: The strongest track on the album is without a doubt “Train Wreck.” This emotional rollercoaster of a song opens with a depressing piano, followed by the pure emotional performance from James. His vocal control and range are on full display here, reaching a climax in the chorus where the emotions truly sail. The lyricism illustrates James’s battle with drug addition, as well as his realization of the mistakes he has made in the past. All in all, this track is an emotionally packed train ride that serves wonderfully as the midpoint of this project.
Final Notes
Song rankings are always subject to change over time, so don’t take these too to heart. They also are just our opinion. We would love to hear your opinions, so leave them in the comment section below. We also suggest subscribing to our blog. To do so, go under the tab “Contact” and fill out the form. That will allow you to receive emails of new blogs and maybe get them ahead of time. Finally, go give Back from the Edge a listen for yourself.