History could file James Arthur under the category of X Factor winner done good: his debut single Impossible is the most successful winner’s single in the show’s history. But a series of scandals, including a row over his use of homophobic language, derailed him. He has suffered from mental health issues and sought treatment for substance abuse.
His first album in two years, 17-track You, lands on the right side of introspective and takes redemption and recovery as its themes. The title track is a song about triumph against the odds, the “sticks and stones” that life pelts at you, with a cameo from rapper Travis Barker and Arthur’s recognisably raw, throaty, emotive voice well suited to the themes.
He demonstrates his range on soulful Marine Parade, and the R’n’B-inflected If We Can Get Through This We Can Get Through Anything (even if the lyrics about bumping and grinding are A Bit Much). He’s in intelligent power-ballad form in Cars Outside and Quite Miss Home.
It’s a coherent, if long, record that might give Arthur’s music the redemption he dreams of.
