We’re less than a month out from Valentine’s Day, and James have an euphoric cautionary tale to help us navigate the Hallmark holiday. The enduring Manchester band, which celebrated 40 years of music in 2023, power forward with heavenly ambition and remarkable tenderness on “Is This Love,” a new single out today (January 16) that immediately becomes one of the more notable recent entries to James’ extensive catalog.
“Love as a bomb, a tsunami that rolls over our life, as we cling to the wreckage of our peace of mind,” says frontman Tim Booth, furthering his position as one of our generation’s greatest songwriters and lyricists.
“Is This Love” is the first offering from James’ forthcoming 18th studio album (18th!). It’s called Yummy, and it’s set for release April 12 via Virgin Music. The record was produced by Leo Abrahams (Jon Hopkins, Brian Eno, Jarvis Cocker, Imogen Heap and Regina Spektor) and mixed by Cenzo Townsend (Courteeners, The Specials, Everything Everything).
Fire up “Is This Love” below, and add it to the playlist of your choice ahead of next month’s love-in.