Back From the Edge

by James Arthur

Overview

After a highly publicized fall from grace in the U.K., James Arthur made his comeback with Back from the Edge. In the years that followed a series of controversies that led to a split with his label, Syco, the 2012 X-Factor winner receded from the public eye to re-center and battle some personal demons: namely, his struggles with mental health issues and addiction. Acknowledging that drama is crucial in digesting his sophomore effort, which focuses on his personal redemption, recovery, and healing. Through this lens, Edge is a heartfelt triumph for Arthur and his faithful fans. The Bond-esque title track makes his declaration clear: he's back from the edge and "back from the dead." From there, Arthur charges forth on his mission to show that he's changed and reborn like that proverbial firebird (there's even a track explicitly titled "Phoenix"). He has a powerful voice -- like Ray Lamontagne and James Bay filtered through Sam Smith -- and a passionate spirit that helps elevate the album above a middling standard. Much of Edge is enjoyable, insofar as it's a competently produced, richly soulful execution of similar sounds one might have already heard. He mines the styles of such contemporaries as Ed Sheeran ("Say You Won't Let Go"), Matt Cardle ("Can I Be Him"), the Script ("Safe Inside"), Sam Smith ("Let Me Love the Lonely"), and OneRepublic ("I Am"), but his lyrics keep Edge firmly in Arthur's court. Standout track "Train Wreck" is the best example, a desperate cry for help that bleeds through pleas that he's "not ready to die, not yet." It's Arthur at his lowest and most vulnerable. Closing track "Finally" pushes into similar territory, a searingly honest confessional that utilizes regret and parental pride to tug at the heartstrings. Back from the Edge swells with hope and optimism, a healing dose of catharsis for Arthur on his road to recovery. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	11/26/2021
Label:	Columbia / Legacy / Sony Music
UPC:	0888751851719

Album Credits

Performance Credits

James Arthur   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar
Dan Bingham   Drums,Piano,Percussion
Tom Oldfield   Cello
Greg Sinclair   Sax (Baritone)
Gero Schipmann   Guitar
Connie Chatwin   Violin
Ash Sloan   Drums
Sally Wragg   Viola
Adam Argyle   Synthesizer,Keyboards
Ash Soan   Drums
Alex Beitzke   Bass,Guitar
George Tizzard   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion
Saul Wodak   Guitar,Keyboards
Steve McEwan   Bass,Guitar,Vocals
Steve Brewster   Bass,Drums
Rob Harris   Guitar
Rick Parkhouse   Bass,Vocals,Percussion
Patrick "Guitarboy" Hayes   Trombone
Luke Potashnik   Guitar
Pete "Boxta" Martin   Vocals,Keyboards
Rob Greenwood   Trumpet
Phil Jewson   Strings,Keyboards
Jean-Yves Ducornet   Guitar
Negin Djafari   Vocals
Jon Green   Guitar,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Shotty Horroh   Featured Artist
Tina Jacobs Lim   Violin

Technical Credits

James Arthur   Composer
Mattia Sartori   Engineer,Additional Production
Tom Upex   Additional Production
Bradley Spence   Producer,Programming,Executive Producer
Jonny Solway   Engineer,Additional Production
Cecile Desnos   Editing
Dave Gibson   Composer
Adam Argyle   Additional Production,Composer,Producer,Programming
Simon Jaeger   Mixing
Neil Ormandy   Composer
Alex Beitzke   Producer,Programming,Brass Arrangement,Executive Producer,String Arrangements
George Tizzard   Composer
Hannes Plattmeier   Engineer
Steve McEwan   Composer
Andrew Jackson   Composer
Jonathan Quarmby   Composer
Rick Parkhouse   Composer,Programming
Charlie Russell   Mixing
Steve Solomon   Composer,Vocal Producer
Pete "Boxta" Martin   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Emma Rohan   Composer
Jean-Yves Ducornet   Programming,String Arrangements
Negin Djafari   Composer