James Arthur Dials Up The Tempo On ‘Bitter Sweet Love’

Middlesbrough-born and Brit Billion-certified artist James Arthur has announced his brand new single ‘Bitter Sweet Love’ – the title track to his fifth, forthcoming new studio album – out January 26th, 2024. Watch the Tim Mattia-directed video HERE.

One of the first tracks written during the album’s creation, at Westlake Studios in West Hollywood with Steve Solomon, with whom he co-wrote his 2016 megahit ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’, “Bitter Sweet Love’ is a blast of funk-fuelled fun, with James showcasing yet another side of his extraordinary talent. Listen here.

“I love that it mashes up so many styles,” says James. “It goes from an almost The 1975-like groove to a Kings of Leon-esque pre chorus, then back to funky groove. It’s been one of my favourites from the moment I wrote it. It’s about someone who has a hold on you, but whose presence in your life fucks you up. You’re maybe drawn to them for how they look, despite how they play with your head.”

The track procedes the album’s superb offerings to date; ‘A Year Ago’, ‘Blindside’, ‘Just Us’, Homecoming’ & ‘Sleepwalking’, Bitter Sweet Love is James back to his very best, producing thirteen bites of world class music and a mature body of work, full of depth and oozing the impeccable songwriting quality that has defined his esteemed career to date.

2024 will also see a major world tour, in which multiple dates including UK arenas, sold out instantly, including London’s Wembley Arena, with The O2 now added. This was then followed by the announcement of a massive homecoming show at Middlesborough’s Riverside Stadium on Saturday 8th June 2024. This will be James’ biggest headline show to date and will see him joined by special guests McFly and Lauran Hibberd.

James is one of the world’s biggest streaming artists, with over 38 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. James has scored 4 top 10 albums, with 2016’s Back From The Edge hitting the Number 1 spot and over his career has collaborated with the likes of Anne-Marie, Sigala, Rudimental, Marshmello & many more.

‘Say You Won’t Let Go’ became his breakthrough hit in the US. It was officially the UK’s most streamed song in 2016 and has gone on to be enjoyed via 4 billion streams while the song’s official video has achieved 1.5 billion views on YouTube. Earlier this year, the track became his first RIAA Diamond Single with 10 million certified units – making James one of just 100 recipients of an RIAA Diamond Single certification in the programme’s history.

Other huge hit singles include: ‘Impossible’, ‘Can I Be Him’, ‘Sun Comes Up’, ‘Naked’, ‘Empty Space’, ‘Rewrite The Stars’, ‘Falling Like the Stars’, ‘Train Wreck’ and ‘Lasting Lover’, which are all certified platinum records. The song ‘Cars Outside’ off the new album is currently becoming another global hit for James.

James will play the following UK arena dates next year. Remaining tickets are on sale here.

UK Tour 2024

Mar 05 – Bournemouth, UK @ International Centre SOLD OUT 

Mar 06 – Birmingham, UK @ Birmingham Utilita Arena SOLD OUT 

Mar 08 – Sheffield, UK @ Sheffield Utilita Arena SOLD OUT 

Mar 09 – Newcastle, UK @ Newcastle Utilita Arena SOLD OUT 

Mar 10 – Hull, UK @ Connexin Live SOLD OUT 

Mar 13 – Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro SOLD OUT 

Mar 15 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester AO Arena SOLD OUT 

Mar 16 – London, UK @ Wembley OVO Arena SOLD OUT 

Mar 19 – Nottingham, UK @ Motorpoint Arena 

Mar 20 – Cardiff, UK @ Utilita Arena 

Mar 22 – London, UK @ The O2

Jun 8 – Middlesbrough, UK @ Riverside Stadium

Jun 30 – Cornwall @ The Wyldes

Jul 12 – Leeds @ Millennium Square

Jul 17 – Wigan @ Robin Park

Jul 18 – Swansea @ Singleton Park

Aug 02 – Newmarket @ Racecourse

Aug 17 – Market Rasen @ Racecourse 

Aug 27 – Belfast @ Custom House Square

Bitter Sweet Love – Tracklisting
1. Bitter Sweet Love
2. Free Falling
3. Sleepwalking
4. Blindside
5. Just Us
6. Comeback Kid
7. From The Jump
8. A Year Ago
9. Ruthless
10. New Generation
11. My Favourite Pill
12. Is It Alright?
13. Homecoming

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