James Arthur’s claim to fame came after winning the ninth season of The X Factor in 2012. Born in Middlesbrough — a town in North Yorkshire, England — Arthur’s X Factor win gained him significant success in the U.K. His winning performance, a powerful and dramatic rendition of Shontelle’s “Impossible,” left a lasting impression as it became the fastest-selling single from an X Factor winner at the time and topped charts in the U.K., Ireland and Greece upon its release.
“Say You Won’t Let Go,” one of the artist’s biggest hits that came from his second studio album Back from the Edge, peaked at No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart for three weeks and reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2016. Arthur’s blending of pop, soul, rock and indie influences, combined with the emotional storytelling within the lyrics of his music, is what fans of the singer-songwriter have resonated with throughout his career. This talent for emotional storytelling can be found in songs like “Train Wreck,” “Car’s Outside” and even “Rewrite the Stars,” which he sang with Anne-Marie, that appeared on The Greatest Showman: Reimagined soundtrack.
With the recent release of his sixth studio album, PISCES, on April 25, Arthur brings listeners along on an introspective journey through the lens of his astrological sign. Pisces are known for being imaginative, sensitive and creative — traits he leans into throughout the album in an extremely personal way. Songs like “ADHD,” “Celebrate,” “Embers” and “Karaoke,” take on an ethereal sound, composed of softer, more intimate musical elements that create a dreamlike listening experience. The album’s introspective nature only enhances the singer-songwriter’s passionate and emotionally moving live performances, where fans can experience the vulnerability behind the music in an uninhibited fashion.
James Arthur plays the Andrew J Brady Music Center at 7:30 p.m. on June 20. More info: bradymusiccenter.com.
This story is featured in CityBeat’s June 11 print edition.
This article appears in Nov 17-22, 1994.
