James's ubiquitous hit Sit Down may have sounded to some like a brazen act of defiance, but it was inspired by bouts of insomnia, Patti Smith and empathy for sick and mentally ill people.
The band, who formed in 1982, have released their 12th studio album, and show little sign of abandoning their fondness for tackling life's knottier issues. Entitled La Petite Mort, the album is an excavation of the mind of frontman Tim Booth, whose lyrics were triggered by a range different events – from living in the US and watching the battle there to prevent gay marriage, to grief following the loss of both his mother and best friend in quick succession.
Below the band talk about the album track by track. It includes the bonus number Whistleblowers, written in tribute to the likes of Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden.
"Seeing as these people are heroes, they should be given medals. It makes me furious," says Booth. "They're doing a public service for people and exposing what's going on in governments, and yet they become outcasts – they give up their lives to give up that information. That's heroism."
Watch it below and let us know what you think.
