James Walsh - It’s All Happening
Image Credit: Barnaby Fairley
Starsailor frontman James Walsh releases his new studio album ‘It’s All Happening’ on January 31st. The album was written, recorded, and produced entirely by Walsh.
Walsh’s songwriting, although more thoughtful than most even in his Starsailor days, adopts a more wisened stance throughout. On ‘I Can’t Stop Myself From Lovin’ You’, he reflects upon those insecure days of a new relationship when imposter syndrome is rife. ‘Moving Target’ sees a lost and anguished soul steady themselves in the mire and take solace in the thought that “nothing better in this life than you and I” when dwelling on their partner. Whereas, on ‘Shadows’ Walsh digs into mental struggles. As he decrees, “fight another lion in my head”, souls will stop dead in their tracks. His voice is utterly haunting. Walsh, a master storyteller, though, leads you back to the light (“it’s getting brighter further up the road”), but with a quiet, reserved vocal to signify that life will never be the same.
Sonically, Walsh’s stripped-back approach and his ease at a higher-pitched vocal recall Bon Iver’s debut album at several points. The aforementioned ‘I Can’t Stop Myself From Lovin’ You’ leans into Justin Vernon’s ability to make an acoustic guitar and gentle vocals embrace a hymnal quality as he ushers his flock from dark to light. ‘Coney Island’ offers up Walsh’s best vocal of the album. His full array of pitch and tone, coupled with Vernon’s mystical, light-touch production, lights up this nostalgic story.
‘Poole’s Cavern’, whilst an ode to rural escape in Derbyshire, lyrically serves up heart-shattering grief:
“part of me died / so I crept inside / and hid myself from view / for the rest of my life / as I cant get by / without you”
The protagonist goes on, much like Ricky Gervais’ portrayal of Tony Johnson Afterlife), breathing but not living, accepting that a live together, although too short, was still a gift:
“I'm still happy with the life we got to make / even if it ended far too soon”
Walsh continues the poignancy on ‘The Great Northwest’ as he details the sense of community that emerged in the wake of Paul Doyle’s reckless driving, which injured over 130 people. Tinged with Iron & Wine’s playing and Turin Brakes’ vocals, he displays the resiliency and affection of a city that yet again stands tall in the wake of tragedy:
“when it feels like all hope is gone / We show our faith like we’ve always done / we call on each other”
They say timing is everything, and as Trump tears the world order apart, empty-shell populists lead the polls on the left and right, Walsh’s humble, honest songwriting is the tonic to it all. He brings peace, even moments of heartache, and offers a welcome pause for thought.